Hurst: Understandable if Tottenham and Liverpool target Lanzini wants to leave

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West Ham playmaker Manuel Lanzini has been repeatedly linked to both Liverpool and Tottenham.

West Ham United legend Sir Geoff Hurst has told talkSPORT reporter Ian ‘Moose’ Abrahams, as quoted by his Soundcloud channel, that he would understand it if Manuel Lanzini wanted to leave.

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have both been long-term admirers of the 24-year-old, with the Sun claiming Liverpool want Lanzini to replace Philippe Coutinho while ESPN claimed in November Spurs were eyeing the Argentinian.

West Ham have hardly shown what they are capable of this season, which saw manager Slaven Bilic sacked and replaced by David Moyes. They remain in 15th place and only two points above the relegation zone.

Hurst, 76, who first joined West Ham as a 15-year-old in 1957 and remained with the club until 1972, claimed it would be understandable if Lanzini wanted to leave, stating he is “likely to get enticed”.

“It’s very difficult to keep your players,” Hurst said, when asked about Tottenham and Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Lanzini. “When a club comes calling that a player wants to go to, they move on.

“It is difficult. Lanzini is not currently playing at a big club – a club like Liverpool or Spurs so he is more likely to get enticed away. He’s a fantastic player and it is hard keeping them.

“You can understand Lanzini wanting to go if we’re struggling in the league.”

The former River Plate attacking midfielder has continued to show his ability to unlock a defence in the Premier League this season, providing eight assists in just 17 outings for the Hammers.

West Ham will be desperate to keep Lanzini on side, and the ball is in their court with three years still remaining on their number 10’s contract at the London Stadium.