West Ham United have a two year contract extension option for returning playmaker Manuel Lanzini, according to Claret & Hugh.
The reliable Hammers news source claims that the Argentina international’s deal runs until the end of next season, but that the club can trigger a two year extension if and when they please.
Talks over a new contract between the two parties could get started in the summer, provided the 26-year-old’s return from long-term injury goes smoothly.
Lanzini made his first appearance of the season last Friday when he came off the bench in his team’s 3-1 win over Fulham.
OPINION
This is phenomenal news for the Hammers fans. Lanzini has obviously been out for a very long time, but his cameo against the Cottagers was extremely encouraging viewing. He didn’t seem like he’d skipped a beat and so the signs are good that he’ll come back looking like the same player he was before the injury. It’s very likely that if he continues to look good from now until the end of the season that the club will indeed trigger his extension, or begin talks on a new long-term contract altogether. Why wouldn’t they? Lanzini has shown in the past that he is one of the best players at the London Stadium, that coupled with his relative youth makes him someone they would undoubtedly want to tie down for the foreseeable future. First and foremost, though, is the rest of this campaign. Lanzini needs to get minutes under his belt and become a regular contributor before anything like this is considered. Still, it’s nice to have the option there if it’s needed.
