Liverpool are in hot pursuit of West Ham playmaker Manuel Lanzini, according to the Evening Standard.
The London newspaper claim the Merseyside giants still have an interest in signing the Argentina international this summer after being linked with him in the past.
The Standard report that there are no guarantees Lanzini will still be at London Stadium next season, although his possible sale would be available to new manager Manuel Pellegrini in his overall transfer pot.
OPINION
Of all the players in the West Ham squad he has taken over this week, the two Pellegrini will most want to keep are Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic. They are the two class acts capable of operating on a completely different level to the rest of their teammates. Lanzini’s touch, technique and movement make him a special player and it is testament to his ability that he has been named in Argentina’s 23-man World Cup squad. Given the calibre of the competition for the attacking positions, that is a serious achievement. West Ham should only cash in on the 5ft 7in playmaker (source: Transfermarkt) if they can secure a huge fee, and it is little doubt the board will be thinking of a £50million-plus valuation given his track record and the two years remaining on his contract. There has been speculation Lanzini will be offered a new deal this summer. If he doesn’t sign it, that would be a clear indication he is looking for the exit door. West Ham should put out all the stops to keep him.
