OPINION
West Ham United have suffered several big blows to their midfield in terms of injuries this season, with the likes of Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko being long-term lay-offs.
It is an area that Manuel Pellegrini will want to strengthen this summer, with new faces to provide competition to his first-team regulars.
A player who has recently come back from a long-term setback is Manuel Lanzini, who returned to the fold in February. However, he has not been able to replicate the impact that he made for the Irons last season, with his recent performances not being rather easy on the eye.
He is a talented player, everyone knows that, but his displays have not been up to scratch lately. This is exactly why he will surely be sweating after Italian outlet Calcio Mercato reported that the club are keen on Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay.
The 25-year-old usually operates as a central midfielder, but his versatility allows him to excel in an attacking role too. Seeing as Lanzini – who is on £70,000-a-week [Spotrac] player stars in this role, it could likely come under threat if a move for Derimbay ever materialised.
He clearly has a good reputation in the Bundesliga this season, with the mainstay racking up 29 appearances in all competitions this term.
If West Ham want versatility, then they have found it in the shape of the German international. However, it is not good news for Lanzini, whose place in the team is coming under fire already. He really needs to step it up if the Irons do end up signing Derimbay.
With Champions League and Europa League experience already under his belt, the Bundesliga dazzler could not be a more perfect fit for the club, and he will certainly attempt to force his way into Pellegrini’s plans should he join.
