Manchester City 'agree six-year deal with Lucas Paqueta'

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has agreed to sign a six-year contract with Manchester City, according to a report.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a leading target for the Citizens following the arrivals of Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol earlier this summer.

Paqueta was on Man City's radar before he completed a club-record £51m move to West Ham from Lyon last summer.

The Brazil international scored five goals and provided seven assists in 41 matches for the Hammers in the 2022-23 campaign in which David Moyes's side celebrated winning the Europa Conference League.

Paqueta still has four years remaining on his contract, but the midfielder is understood to have had his head turned after learning of concrete interest from Man City and he is now keen to leave the London Stadium.

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Man City are understood to have seen a verbal offer between £60m and £70m for Paqueta turned down by West Ham earlier this week.

Paqueta is believed to have an £85m release clause in his contract, but it cannot be activated until the summer of 2024.

Nevertheless, according to France Televisions journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, the Citizens have returned with an offer of €85m (£73.4m) plus €10m (£8.6m) in bonuses, but West Ham want a figure closer to €110m (£95m) without bonuses.

Bouhafsi adds that Paqueta has reached an agreement with Man City to sign a six-year contract, and Pep Guardiola's side are optimistic about completing a deal given the player's willingness to move to the Etihad Stadium.

Moyes has confirmed that West Ham, who sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m earlier this summer, have received an offer from Man City for Paqueta, but the treble winners are yet to meet the club's asking price.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Moyes said: "We've had an offer from Manchester City, but it's not anywhere near meeting our valuation."

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Paqueta was handed the No.10 shirt by West Ham earlier this summer and the attacking midfielder is regarded as an invaluable asset for Moyes heading into the new season.

However, the Brazilian is not expected to be involved in Saturday's Premier League opener away against Bournemouth amid interest in his services.

Man City's pursuit of Paqueta comes after the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this summer, while the long-term futures of Bernardo Silva and Cole Palmer still remain uncertain.

Indeed, Palmer is allegedly attracting interest form West Ham and one report claims that they may ask for the versatile attacker in part-exchange for Paqueta.

Guardiola refused to comment on speculation linking the club with a move for Paqueta when he spoke to the media on Thursday.