Paris Saint Germain attempted to land West Ham playmaker Manuel Lanzini on transfer deadline day, according to a report from Football Insider.
The report claimed that the Ligue 1 superpower made a late enquiry to take the Argentine on loan after they had failed to lure Dele Alli from Tottenham.
Lanzini has rarely featured for David Moyes’ side this season, although the 27-year-old made himself a hero during a substitute appearance against Tottenham in October with a stunning late equaliser to cap a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down.
The dual arrival and subsequent impact of Jesse Lingard and Said Benrahma has meant that Lanzini has made just two Premier League starts this season, though.
The Irons could have used PSG’s interest in the 27-year-old to perhaps manoeuvre for the arrival of Idrissa Gueye, who was reported to be of interest to Moyes during the transfer window and was willing to leave in search of regular action.
Gueye drew comparisons to Chelsea star N’Golo Kante during his time in England with Everton and was described as a ‘machine’ by his former PSG boss (and now-Chelsea manager) Thomas Tuchel.
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Had a potential swap deal been on the table for the Irons to exploit, then this could be deemed a missed opportunity to utilise the out-of-favour Argentina ace as transfer leverage.
Despite Lazini’s fleeting moments of impact this season, there is no doubt that his role in the squad has diminished, and Moyes could have utilised a defensive-minded midfielder to greater effect.
Thus far, until the late and unjust dismissal of Tomas Soucek at the weekend, he and Declan Rice have played every minute in the league this term, a monumental feat and something which is likely not to stand the rigours of the entire season.
