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Agbonlahor can't believe 'wild' new Lucas Paqueta twist at Man City - 'bite their hand off'
Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at the Man City pursuit of Lucas Paqueta and claimed West Ham should “bite City’s hand off” if a bid of £80million arrives.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed both Paqueta, 25, and Mateo Kovacic are a “downgrade” on departed midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (15 August) that Man City are set to submit a fresh bid for the Brazil international in the next 24 hours – which is expected to be worth more than £80million.
It is believed the treble-winners have already seen a £70million+ bid rejected by West Ham.
Paqueta only joined West Ham for a club-record reported fee of £51million last summer.
He made 41 appearances for the Hammers, scoring five goals and assisting seven as they lifted the Europa Conference League.
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The midfielder was part of the West Ham starting lineup which drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday (12 August).
Agbonlahor told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s absolutely wild.
“He struggled when he first arrived in the Premier League, and I watched him at the World Cup for Brazil and he wasn’t great.
“In the last few months, he’s started to look like a top player – he started to show glimpses. But is that enough to spend £80million?
“It’s very odd.
“It feels like everyone is worth top money now. It’s wild.
“If I’m West Ham, I’m biting Man City’s hand off for £80million. He’s not worth it.
“City have lost Gundogan – and both Kovacic and Paqueta are a downgrade on him. Maybe they’re panicking a bit.”
In other news, Man City open preliminary talks to sign star winger.