Man City enter race to sign Paqueta

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been identified by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as a potential replacement for Bernardo Silva, who has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia, Paris St Germain or Barcelona. Paqueta helped the Hammers to Europe Conference League success last season and started to show flashes of brilliance that persuaded the Irons to spend close to £42 million for the midfielder.

Paqueta commanded the club's highest transfer fee paid for a player, and in the space of one year has already attracted Man City to make a move. Despite only scoring four Premier League goals in 29 games for West Ham, Paqueta particularly caught the eye towards the end of the 2022/23 season.

Man City have signed Mateo Kovacic to replace Ilkay Gundogan, and Guardiola wants a new midfielder to partner Rodri in a new look central midfield. Cole Palmer impressed during last weekend's Community Shield tie against Arsenal, but Guardiola does not see the youngster as ready to dislodge existing options in the club's midfield.

Paqueta could be available for around £90 million, as the Hammers have already sold Declan Rice this summer to Arsenal for a fee of around £105 million.