If Manchester City succeeds in their pursuit of Lucas Paqueta, West Ham will step up their efforts to capture Manchester United’s Scott McTominay.
After the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, Paqueta has surfaced as a target for Pep Guardiola.
Man City’s initial £70 million proposal for Paqueta was rejected by the Hammers, but the Premier League winners are poised to return with a better offer.
According to Football Insider, David Moyes’ team has identified McTominay as the Brazilian’s straight replacement.
The London club are known admirers of McTominay and had a £30 million bid turned down by the Red Devils.
The arrival of James Ward-Prowse at the London Stadium was considered to be the end of West Ham’s chase of the Carrington academy graduate, but this is not the case, according to Pete O’Rourke.
“West Ham are set to push for the signing of Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay if Lucas Paqueta joins Manchester City, according to Football Insider.”
“Their midfield rebuild has been triggered by the sale of their own skipper, Declan Rice, to Arsenal earlier this summer.”
“It is believed that a further sale of Paqueta would provide West Ham with the funds needed to sign top target McTominay.”
United are thought to value McTominay at £45 million, which the Irons believe is too high.
Erik ten Hag is not opposed to keeping the Scotland international for at least another season, so the 20-time English champions are not under any pressure to let him go.
West Ham must make a tempting offer in order to retain their star player.