Lucas Paqueta suits Man City's midfield and his adaptability would appeal to Pep Guardiola and neatly replace Ilkay Gundogan... but West Ham star's arrival could be bad news for Kalvin Phillips
It never rains but it pours at West Ham.
Declan Rice, the cornerstone of their midfield, has left for Arsenal, the club are struggling to new signings in despite £105million burning their back pocket, and there are growing tensions behind the scenes.
If Hammers fans dared to hope their Europa Conference League triumph a couple of months ago heralded the beginning of a bright new dawn, they appear to be sadly mistaken.
Now, on the eve of the big Premier League kick-off, another thunderbolt as Manchester City bid £70m for their star Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
In terms of pure finances, West Ham could make a handsome profit on a player they paid Lyon £51m just 12 months ago. Pep Guardiola is a big fan and so City could go higher.
But losing not one, but two, key midfielders in the same summer really isn't a good look for West Ham and only contributes to a sense of chaos and a resignation among the fanbase that they'll be glancing nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone yet again.
Putting that aside, however, will Paqueta prove the right fit for Man City?
Guardiola clearly doesn't want to stand still after City swept all before them to win the Treble last season.
The departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona has left a midfield vacancy, though City did sign Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea earlier in the summer.
The big appeal of Paqueta, 25, is his versatility. He possesses the tenacity to perform in a holding midfield role, as he did alongside Rice on occasion for West Ham last season.
But he also has the Brazilian flair to operate further forward as an attacking midfielder, where he is first-choice for his country and has developed a superb understanding with Neymar.
If required, Paqueta can also be stationed on
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