Pundit expects Manuel Lanzini to leave West Ham United this summer when contract expires
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has admitted that he would like to see Manuel Lanzini stay at West Ham next summer, but he expects him to leave the club.
Lanzini is entering the final months of his contract at the London Stadium after joining the club back in 2015 on an initial loan deal, before joining permanently in 2016.
A fan favourite at the club the Argentine has fallen out of favour this season with David Moyes following the arrival of Lucas Paqueta last summer, and McAvennie believes with the options that the club have in those advanced midfield positions it’s unlikely that he’ll stick around.
“He’s not been playing has he? Fornals has stepped up, they’ve got Benrahma, Bowen. Unless they’re letting any of them go then I can’t see it,” he told West Ham Zone.
“He’s a bit part player. It’s nothing to do with him it’s just the way the team is playing he’s not getting in.
“If it was up to me I’d keep them all. Lanzini, Benrahma, Bowen, Paqueta, they can all play together. Good footballers love playing with other good footballers and it would be a joy to watch them play together. But, I’m not a manager.”
At 30-years-old now and with limited game time this season, it seems unlikely that he would be offered a new deal anyway.
Former club River Plate have now registered their interest in the midfielder about taking him back to Argentina on a free transfer in the summer.