Man City told Lucas Paqueta transfer fee as West Ham fear 'Dimitri Payet sequel'

EXCLUSIVE West Ham have named their price for Manchester City target Lucas Paqueta, who they don't want to lose but also don't want to anger by blocking his exit

Manchester City will have to cough up £85million to land West Ham star Lucas Paqueta.

That sum matches a release clause in Paqueta’s contract with the Hammers, due to kick in next year. The Irons, having already lost Decan Rice to Arsenal this summer, want to keep the Brazilian international, who cost £51.3m from Lyon 12 months ago.

But they fear refusing to sell him to the European champions will further unsettle Paqueta. He has made it clear he wants the Etihad move - and the Hammers board are desperate to avoid any repeat of the Dimitri Payet saga endured in early 2017.

The Frenchman had proved an instant success but, after agreeing a massive £125,000-a-week five-year deal, suddenly downed tools to force a £25m return to Marseille.

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The last thing David Moyes’ men need on the back of an already difficult close season is one of their best players in the camp unhappy.

Paqueta, 25, took a while to settle following his record signing but by the end of last season was beginning to fulfil expectations. He scored five times in 36 appearances in all competitions.

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Certainly, City boss Guardiola is a big admirer and his search for another playmaker has intensified with skipper Kevin De Bruyne suffering a recurrence of his troublesome calf injury in Friday’s victory at Burnley.

But the Spaniard knows the Treble winners must improve their most recent offer of £60m - rejected last week - significantly to persuade the Londoners to do business.

One solution could be City’s England midfielder Kalvin Phillips heads in the other direction. The ex-Leeds man is valued at £50m and Hammers boss Moyes is keen to bring him in to strengthen his team’s engine room.