Manchester City are preparing a new bid for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, while the club are also ‘pushing’ to sign Rennes winger Jeremy Doku.
Pep Guardiola is keen to add to his squad before the deadline and City are working to strengthen their options in attacking areas.
Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury has heightened the need for a creative midfielder with the Belgian set to miss four months of action and Paqueta is the club’s leading transfer target after a failed bid last week. City’s offer was in the region of £70m, but was turned down by West Ham.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that City are preparing an improved offer for the Brazil international, while the Premier League champions are also pushing to add a winger before the deadline.
Doku is understood to be ‘top’ of City’s wish-list as the club look to replace Riyad Mahrez, who was allowed to leave for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. The 21-year-old impressed in Ligue 1 last season and has scored twice in 16 appearances for Belgium at international level.
In terms of outgoings, Aymeric Laporte is nearing an exit and could join former team-mate Mahrez in Saudi Arabia. Al Nassr are working on a deal to sign the Spaniard, who is free to leave the Etihad after falling out of favour last season.
City have accepted an offer from the Saudi side for Laporte, who is open to the move. The 29-year-old had been linked with moves to Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.
