Man City twist West Ham arm with new Paqueta bid to include major sacrifice in part-exchange

Manchester City are preparing a new offer to West Ham United for Lucas Paqueta and are now willing to send one of their top prospects in the opposite direction, according to reports.

David Moyes confirmed this week that West Ham have received an offer from Man City for Paqueta, but it did not meet their valuation of their 2022 signing. That does not appear to have put the Premier League champions off, though.

There have been claims that Paqueta has agreed personal terms for a six-year contract with Man City, who must now find a way to tempt West Ham into selling him.

TEAMtalk understands that Paqueta is not enjoying playing for West Ham and wants to step up to a club in the Champions League – and what better way would there be to do that than with reigning holders Man City?

Now, various outlets are reporting how Man City could convince West Ham to cash in on Paqueta. According to The Guardian, the Hammers want to sign Cole Palmer in return, so a part-exchange deal could be set up.

Per the report, West Ham would like Palmer on loan, but may actually have a better chance of signing him on a permanent basis.

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Moyes makes West Ham plan with Palmer and Bowen

Tactically, Moyes would plan to use Palmer on the right wing, where he could come inside onto his left foot. Jarrod Bowen currently occupies that role, but the West Ham manager now thinks he could move him into a central role so he and Palmer can play in the same system.

Bowen’s adaptation could soften the blow of losing a central attacking midfielder like Paqueta, who made 41 appearances in his debut West Ham season and scored five goals.

The Guardian claims West Ham will do business for Paqueta for the right price, despite not being under financial pressure after the club-record sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal. Next summer, there would be an £85m release clause active in Paqueta’s contract.

So far, the highest bid that Man City have made for the former Flamengo, AC Milan and Lyon star was in the region of £70m.

Football Insider is another source to have indicated that Paqueta and Palmer could swap clubs. However, the website warns that Man City are checking on alternative targets – without naming who those could be – in case West Ham stand firm.