West Ham United exit could be on the cards for Manuel Lanzini in summer
West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini could leave the London Stadium this summer if his game-time doesn’t significantly improve, according to Football.London journalist Jonty Coleman.
The 29-year-old is out of contract at the London Stadium in the summer and has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular for the past two seasons.
According to Fichajes.net [6 January], the Argentinian was subject to interest from River Plate who were willing to put together a bid that would see him make the move back to his homeland in January rather than waiting until the summer when he will be free.
However, a move never materialised for the player. And his immediate future could well lie away from East London once the season concludes in May.
According to Coleman, writing for Football.London [2 February] Lanzini has a two-year extension option in his expiring contract, but if he does not continue to feature for the Hammers in the coming months, he could well be on his way.
Coleman wrote: “Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini has found game time very hard to come by throughout this season.
“Of his 15 appearances in all competitions this season, he has started ten games, but only one of them has come in the Premier League, with the South American well down in the pecking order at present.
“Lanzini’s contract is set to expire at the end of June and while like Coufal, there is a two-year extension offer in his deal, unless his game time significantly improves, a departure could well be on the cards.”
Time to go
It amazes some Hammers fans how Lanzini still remains a West Ham United player. The 29-year-old hasn’t featured in consecutive games for the club for almost two seasons.
With plenty of attacking talent ahead of him in the West Ham squad, such as Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, it’s only right the midfielder has the opportunity to leave.
It’s set to be another five months of depleted action for the Argentinian which will do his talents and abilities plenty of harm. Though, he may be offered some opportunity with the club still in the cup and European competitions.
However, in what will be a huge summer rebuild for the club, it will almost certainly be time for the player to leave and discover a new lease of life elsewhere.