By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

12th Aug, 2023 | 7:45am

Sources: Man City to include sensation as part-exchange in new Lucas Paqueta bid

Man City are considering including Cole Palmer in their bid to sign West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, Football Insider understands.

The Manchester giants had a £70million-plus offer for the 25-year-old rejected by the Hammers earlier this week.

However, City are still keen on signing the Brazil international and are now preparing a fresh bid for his signature.

It is understood that City are considering including Palmer as part of what would be a part-exchange offer to lower West Ham’s asking price.

The 21-year-old would join the Londoners on loan for the 2023/24 campaign alongside a large cash sum for Paqueta.

Palmer has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer amid complaints about game time last season.

Guardiola gave an update on Palmer’s future on Thursday (10 August) ahead of City’s Premier League opener against Burnley.

“Cole is with us,” Guardiola said. “Today he is with us. What is going to happen, I don’t know. I understand he wants to be more active than the previous season.”

Palmer was named as a substitute for City’s Community Shield clash against Arsenal last Sunday, but he came off the bench in the second half to score City’s only goal of the game.

However, Palmer played a total of just 850 minutes in 2022/23, scoring once and assisting once in 25 appearances.

In contrast, Paqueta has been a regular starter for David Moyes since his £51million move from Lyon last summer.

He made 41 appearances for the Hammers, scoring five goals and assisting seven as he helped West Ham to European silverware in the Europa Conference League.

In other news, Kieran Maguire makes ‘£40m’ Man City claim as FFP plot revealed