West Ham’s £80m demand as Crystal Palace and Sheffield United receive transfer blows

West Ham United must be sick of trying to hold on to their key midfielders this summer.

Fresh from failing to retain the services of England star Declan Rice following his £105million move to Arsenal, David Moyes is now reportedly facing a battle to keep Lucas Paqueta after the former Lyon man enjoyed a promising first season in the Premier League.

Manchester City are said to be keen on the 25-year-old and have reportedly failed with an initial offer of around £70million over the last two days. However, their interest in Paqueta is believed to remain alive and another offer could be on the way.

Football Insider have now claimed the Hammers ‘are willing’ to allow the Brazil International to join the treble winners - but only if they receive ‘at least’ £80million up front and a number of potential add-ons to follow.

The 3AM verdict:“West Ham’s focus at the moment is trying to complete deals for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse. The interest in Paqueta will be an unwelcome distraction as the Hammers aim to add to their ranks, rather than further deplete them. It seems the only way they will allow the Brazil star to leave is if they can maximise the fee they receive - and every player has a price.”

Eagles boss makes major claim over Spanish goalkeeper

Crystal Palace manage Roy Hodgson has revealed goalkeeper Vicente Guaita is refusing to play amid speculation linking him with a move away from Selhurst Park.

The 36-year-old has been reportedly targeted by former club Getafe in recent weeks as they look to take him back to La Liga for the first time since the summer of 2018. Guaita has made over 150 appearances for Palace over the last five years but was ousted as Hodgson’s number one by Sam Johnstone in the latter third of last season. Hodgson has revealed England international Johnstone is his only keeper as he prepares for the new Premier League season - and he confirmed Guaita was taking matters into his own hands as he looks to make a move away from the club.

Speaking about the Spanish stopper, the Palace boss said: “It’s up to the club to decide (his future), not him, but the current situation is that he’s made it clear to everybody that he doesn’t want to be here and compete with Sam Johnstone.

“There are probably many clubs around the world with lots of players who would rather leave than stay but the fact is that when you sign a contract with a club, you basically commit yourself to what’s needed at that club.

“When you no longer want to play football for that club, it does cause an enormous amount of friction, and it will be interesting to see how the situation resolves itself. It’s not certain whether the club will accept that his refusal to play means that they have to let him go.”

The 3AM verdict: “It has been a difficult summer for Hodgson will club legend Wilfried Zaha now plying his trade elsewhere and incoming signings limited to the free transfer addition of Jefferson Lerma and Brazilian youngster Matheus Franca. The last thing he needs is a player trying to force his departure but it seems the best thing for both parties is for Palace to find another goalkeeper and allow Guaita to depart.”

Ligue 1 interest could deliver blow to Blades striker hopes

French club Lens have made the first move to sign Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom and see off competition from Sheffield United.

The former Arsenal striker scored 28 goals in 40 games for the Boro last season as he ended the campaign as the Championship’s top scorer. Akpom is now in the final year of his current deal at the Riverside Stadium and is already said to have attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League and around Europe.

However, it is Ligue 1 club Lens that are said to have made a first firm offer by submitting an £8million bid for the striker.

The 3AM verdict: “Middlesbrough are facing a major decision over the future of their star striker and it appears that decision must come sooner rather than later as Akpom’s contract approaches its conclusion. An offer of £8million will surely be rejected and it seems likely only offers near double that number will be considered.”