West Ham United have opened contract talks with playmaker Manuel Lanzini, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper claims that the club are in discussions with the Argentine international, who has made 109 appearances for the east London outfit [Source: Transfermarkt], over a new deal.
The 26-year-old returned from a serious cruciate ligament injury towards the back end of the season, while his current contract is set to expire at the end of the next campaign.
Meanwhile, the Star’s report claims that European giants Fenerbahce are interested in Lanzini, as well.
OPINION
This report has a few different interesting tid-bits for the West Ham faithful. Firstly, it’s fantastic news that the club are engaged in talks over a new contract for Lanzini. Prior to his injury he was undoubtedly one of the team’s best players and, while he wasn’t quite the same after returning down the stretch this term, he still showed enough to suggest that he’ll be able to rediscover his old form without too much difficult moving forward. The Argentine is one of the most technically gifted players at the London Stadium, while at 26 he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. It makes sense, then, to offer him fresh terms in order to prevent other clubs catching his eye as his current deal runs down. Fenerbahce are already taking a look, obviously, but, while they are a massive European team, the wages and quality of football on offer in England will likely ensure Lanzini rebuffs their advances.
