Manuel Lanzini has admitted more than once that he is eyeing a West Ham exit one day to return to his former club River Plate.
The 29-year-old play-maker joined the Hammers on loan from Al Jazira in the summer of 2015.
He then made his move to West Ham a permanent one the following year for around £8 million (ESPN).
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Lanzini began his career at River Plate in Argentina but left for Saudi Arabia when he was only 21.
The South American was brilliant for West Ham during his first couple of years in East London but he regressed badly after suffering an ACL injury in the summer of 2018.
The 29-year-old was a shadow of his former self for the three years following the serious injury that he suffered.
During that time, Lanzini spoke of his desire to one day leave West Ham and return to River Plate, as quoted by TyC Sports:
“River are an institution that has nothing to envy the big clubs in Europe. They treated my entire group very well, we did well too. Obviously it makes you want to return to a club of River’s magnitude and above with the plus that is Gallardo.”
Meanwhile, ESPN Argentina have reported that Lanzini is a transfer target for River Plate.
When the mercurial play-maker was struggling, those rumours weren’t too convening. That’s far from the case now though!
Potential Lanzini West Ham exit now a real worry
Manuel Lanzini has been in absolutely sensational form for the Hammers this season, especially over the past few months.
Manu has bagged five goals and two assists for West Ham since the end of last year (Transfermarkt).
The Argentinian ace has proven to be a real game-changer for the Hammers from the bench.
Lanzini has re-established himself as one of the most important players David Moyes has at his disposal at the London Stadium.
He is a top-class player and over the past month or so, he has proven that he still has so much to offer West Ham. The South American has the ability to break the lines with his exceptional vision and passing ability. This has proven to be crucial when we play against teams who sit back and defend deep.
And with that in mind, the fact that he could one day up and leave is a real concern. Lanzini is out of contract with West Ham in the summer of 2023.
Now, the Hammers do have the option to extend that deal by a further two years. Should Lanzini force a move to his boyhood club though, we may well have no chance of keeping him.
It’s strange how quickly things change in football. Not long ago, many West Ham fans wanted Manu gone. Now, the board would have a mutiny on their hands if they allowed him to leave.
Let’s hope that Lanzini stays at the London Stadium for quite some time yet. He still has so much to give West Ham United.
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