Man City trying to lower Lucas Paqueta fee after baulking at paying huge release clause for West Ham star

The Hammers are demanding any potential suitors for the Brazilian activate his £85 million ($105m) release clause if they want to sign him this summer. City, however, would only be willing to match that fee as a last resort, Foot Mercato reports, and are in talks with West Ham's management to lower the fee.

Pep Guardiola's side attempted to sign Paqueta last summer but the deal fell apart amid the possibility of the 26-year-old of him being sanctioned for breaking betting rules. It has been reported that City and Paqueta have already come to an agreement on personal terms.

The playmaker joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022, signing a contract that ties him to the club until 2027. He has been a key player for David Moyes' this team, having scored eight goals and setting up a further seven in 38 games this season.

The Brazil international will have to watch on from the stands as his West Ham co-stars take on Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday as he must serve a suspension for collecting to many yellow cards in the competition.