Man City manager Pep Guardiola gives short shrift to Lucas Paqueta transfer question

Pep Guardiola refused to comment on Manchester City's interest in Lucas Paqueta.

City are still looking to reinforce their midfield options this summer after losing Ilkay Gundogan and West Ham star Paqueta is the latest to be considered for the role after the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Gabri Veiga were all looked at.

Mateo Kovacic was signed to bolster the ranks while City are growing increasingly confident of keeping hold of Bernardo Silva but are still mulling over how to replace Gundogan as well as Riyad Mahrez.

Paqueta only joined West Ham from Lyon last summer for a club record £51m and a much higher fee would be demanded. The Blues already know how difficult the Irons can be to negotiate with after their £95million bid for Declan Rice was rejected before they bagged £105m for the midfielder from Arsenal.

Guardiola claimed last week that an extra £10m to £15m is placed on the value of players when City enquire about them. When asked about City's interest in Paqueta on Friday, Guardiola remained tight-lipped: "I will not answer about [Lucas] Paqueta; he is a West Ham player."

Guardiola was also asked about the future of former target Harry Kane, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Germany after Bayern Munich agreed a £100million deal with Tottenham for the England captain.

City failed in their own attempts to sign Kane in 2021 before securing Erling Haaland as their replacement for Sergio Aguero a year later. He said: "Everyone knows [his qualities]. He is a top, top striker. He scores goals and has the ability to assist. He is an exceptional striker. Alan Shearer is the only man in front of him as top goalscorer. I don't know if Daniel Levy will allow him to leave or he will stay there."