"Another one is coming in" - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hints at signing £85 million-rated Premier League star
bPep Guardiola has hinted that Manchester City are close to capturing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta when discussing Kevin De Bruyne's injury.
The Cityzens have been handed a massive setback as De Bruyne has been ruled out for a few months with a hamstring injury. The Belgian was forced off with injury in City's 3-0 win over Burnley on Friday (August 11) in their Premier League opener.
However, Manchester City have been in pursuit of West Ham's Paqueta even before De Bruyne's injury. They had a £70 million bid for the Brazilian midfielder rejected by the Hammers, who value him at £85 million, per The Telegraph.
Guardiola has suggested that a deal for the 25-year-old could be close. He told TNT Sports before his side's UEFA Super Cup clash with Sevilla with Wednesday (August 16):
"Another one. We miss him, but we will be close to him, and we have incredible doctors. Another one is coming in..."
Paqueta played the full 90 minutes in West Ham's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth last Saturday. However, it's believed that the Brazil international is eager to join Guardiola's treble winners.
Manchester City have already signed one midfielder this summer, bringing Mateo Kovacic to the Etihad from Chelsea. However, the Croatian was viewed as Ilkay Gundogan's replacement after the German had departed for Barcelona as a free agent.
Paqueta was in fine form for David Moyes' side last season, bagging five goals and seven assists in 41 games across competitions. He arrived at the London Stadium last summer from Lyon for £51 million. The Brazilian assisted Jarrod Bowen's winner in the UEFA Europa Conference League final last season.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne may require surgery
De Bruyne, 32, was forced off in the first half of City's UEFA Champions League final win against Inter Milan on June 10. He made no appearance during the Cityzens' pre-season.
The Belgian returned for his side's clash with Burnley but once again the same injury flared up and he was taken off in the first half. Sky Sports reports he could be sidelined for the rest of the year as the Belgian may have to undergo surgery.
De Bruyne has long been regarded as one of, if not, the greatest midfielders in Premier League history. He was vital for Guardiola last season, and the Spanish coach has admitted that surgery may be required (via the aforementioned source):
"It's a serious injury. We have to decide surgery or not surgery but a few months out."
The Belgium international bagged ten goals and an astounding 31 assists in 49 games across competitions last season. He was the highest assister across Europe's top five leagues. Thus, his absence is likely to be felt especially if Guardiola's side are unable to get a deal sorted for Paqueta.