Manchester City keen on West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá and weigh up £70m bid

West Ham face a battle to hold on to Lucas Paquetá, who has emerged as a target for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is looking to strengthen in midfield and Paquetá is interested in joining the treble winners.

West Ham, who have revived their move for the Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, have lost Declan Rice and are reluctant to sell another key player. City could test their resolve by making a £70m bid for Paquetá but it is understood an official offer is yet to be submitted.

There have been indications Paquetá has grown unsettled and is considering his future. The Brazil international became West Ham’s record signing when he joined from Lyon for £51m last summer and established himself as a favourite at the London Stadium after a slow start.

Paquetá scored five goals last season and became more influential in the final third. The 25-year-old is a creative talent who delivered the assist for Jarrod Bowen to score the winner against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.

There have been times, however, when Paquetá has not looked suited to the style under David Moyes. West Ham are at their most dangerous when absorbing pressure and looking to hit on the counterattack. Paquetá would arguably be more effective in a side that dominate possession.

That would be the case at City, who have space in midfield after losing Ilkay Gündogan to Barcelona on a free transfer. City have signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and were interested in Rice before he joined Arsenal for £105m. The European champions have also lost the Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez to the Saudi Pro League and could replace him by moving for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, who is also a target for Chelsea.

West Ham have endured frustration since selling Rice but are poised to announce the Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez as their first summer signing. They have agreed a £32m deal with Ajax and intend to make another addition in midfield. West Ham have had a £30m bid for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay knocked back and are pushing again for Ward-Prowse.

Southampton rejected West Ham’s most recent offer, worth up to £30m, and the deal had looked dead at the start of the week. Talks have resumed and the clubs are closer to an agreement for the 28-year-old. Southampton value Ward-Prowse at £40m but West Ham are looking to pay a lower fee.

West Ham are also after a centre-back and are hopeful of signing Harry Maguire from United. They have made a £30m bid for the England centre-back. West Ham are also interested in signing the Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen on loan with an option to buy. Sources have given West Ham a chance of agreeing a permanent deal for Maatsen.