By Wayne Veysey

9th Aug, 2023 | 8:30am

Sources: West Ham ready to accept £80m+ Lucas Paqueta offer from Man City

West Ham are willing to sell Lucas Paqueta to Man City before the transfer cut-off – but want at least £80million up front, sources have told Football Insider.

Pep Guardiola is pushing for the Premier League champions to complete the surprise signing of the Brazilian midfielder.

City have already held initial talks with West Ham over a deal amid reports in Brazil that a bid of £70m has been submitted.

It has been suggested that the Hammers won’t let Paqueta, 25, go but Irons sources have told Football Insider that the club are willing to sell at the right price.

City will have to significantly increase their offer, with an initial payment of £80m plus potential add-ons.

It means West Ham could now end up selling their two prize assets of 2022-23 this summer, following the £105million departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

However, the Irons are yet to make a summer signing despite selling their captain for a British-record fee.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (8 August) that West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has intervened after a bust-up between David Moyes and director of football Tim Steidten about the club’s lack of business.

Paqueta cost the Londoners a club-record reported fee of £51million when he joined from Lyon last summer.

The Brazil international, who was a regular feature at last year’s Qatar World Cup, managed five goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions last term.

Man City have lost captain and serial-winning midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona on a free transfer this summer – but ex-Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic was quickly signed to replace him.

The treble-winners have also lost winger Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.

In other news, Premier League boss doing everything to stop star man signing for Man City.