West Ham United have been urged to resist the temptation to cash in on midfielder Manuel Lanzini and instead keep hold of him beyond the winter transfer window.
That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who hailed the five-cap Argentina international’s influence for the Hammers throughout their European venture.
The insider has reacted to a report from Football Insider, that claims West Ham would be willing to part with Lanzini for a cut-price fee when the transfer re-opens in January.
Prompted on whether or not Moyes and co should cash in on the star, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “He has been leading them in the Europa Conference League and that is important.
“From a West Ham point of view, they need that depth and he’s provided it. He has been very important in that competition.”
Jones’ warning
Insider Jones makes a good point regarding Lanzini’s impact for West Ham, despite his lack of minutes in the Premier League this season.
In the Europa Conference League, the 29-year-old has been a prominent feature, playing in all five games and garnering two attacking returns in the form of two goals, making him the joint-top scorer with Jarrod Bowen and Gianluca Scamacca for the Hammers in this competition.
Despite arriving at West Ham as an attacking asset, Lanzini has recently been converted to a number eight in the middle of the park, which suits him down to a tee.
With his progressiveness and supreme ball retention ability, there are surely arguments to be made as to whether he should partner up with Declan Rice in David Moyes’ first-choice XI ahead of Tomas Soucek, who is playing in a more regressive sense this season.
Lanzini is a key part of Moyes’ side shining in a 4-3-3 system in the Hammers’ European venture this season. His presence would surely be missed if he was to depart in January.
