West Ham are among the Premier League clubs interested in Marseille playmaker Morgan Sanson and could offer a player in a part-exchange deal to secure their man.
According to The Sun, the Irons are prepared to offer a player-plus-cash deal involving Manuel Lanzini in order to persuade the French club to let the Hammers jump the queue.
The 26-year-old French midfielder has reportedly turned down advances from the Hammers and looks likely to snub their interest at this stage. However, The Sun noted that West Ham may be the most viable destination for Sanson should he want to leave France for the Premier League.
Marseille are reportedly open to the deal as Sanson has just 18 months left on his current contract, meaning he can leave as a free agent next summer. The West Ham option duly means that the Ligue 1 side can secure a 27-year-old replacement for Sanson and a significant transfer sum in the same deal.
The Sun claimed that the Frenchman is valued at £25m, while Lanzini is more in the ‘£15 [million] bracket’.
Lanzini is finding it hard to hold down a starting berth in David Moyes’ side, with the likes of Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma typically preferred to the Argentine in the central attacking midfield role.
Moyes is reportedly keen to find a younger replacement for Mark Noble with strong leadership qualities, hence his interest in Sanson, in whom Newcastle and Aston Villa are among the suitors exhibiting a strong interest.
Read West Ham Verdict
At 26 and with little time left on Sanson’s deal, a part-exchange could be a cost-effective upgrade on existing options. He could hold down a Noble-esque role for years to come if he moves to the London Stadium, but competition from English clubs seems fierce.
Offering Lanzini could be the differential if the Irons want to win the race for the Marseille man.
