Manuel Lanzini wanted to leave Premier League giants West Ham United and return to River Plate, the Argentine club’s former president Rodolfo D’Onofrio tells TYC Sports.
Then again, it’s not as if Lanzini has ever attempted to play down his to go ‘full circle’ before he hangs up his boots.
Only a couple of months ago, West Ham’s long-serving playmaker admitted that he would ‘love’ to don the colours of River Plate again. He went as far as to insist that a return to ‘will happen’ at some point in the future.
When it happens, however, is anyone’s guess.
But with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023, Lanzini’s emotional homecoming could be on the cards sooner rather than later.
Is Manuel Lanzini leaving West Ham?
According to D’Onofrio, who spent nearly a decade at the helm of River Plate before departing in December 2021, the finances involved in a potential deal made Lanzini’s return to South America all-but impossible in recent transfer windows.
With just over 12 months left on his West Ham deal, however, Lanzini may soon be within their reach. If not this summer, then certainly the next.
“We wanted to sign (Austin FC striker Sebastian) Driussi and Lanzini,” D’Onofrio admits. “Obviously the numbers did not add up but they had the desire and the will to return to River.”
Jorge Brito, River’s vice-president, described the five-time Argentina international as a player with ‘incredible characteristics’ when asked about Lanzini earlier this year.
And, according to La Pagina Millonaria, met up with the River bosses a month ago. He even received a club shirt with ‘10 Lanzini’ on the back.
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It remains to be seen whether he is pulling on that shirt week-in, week-out when 2022/23 kicks off.
With 39 games, six goals and four assists to his name across the current campaign, Lanzini is still a key part of David Moyes’ plans at the London Stadium.
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