West Ham United look set to sign Joao Mario on loan from Inter Milan in the January transfer window.
Lanzini suffered a hamstring injury during West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the London Stadium in the Premier League last weekend.
Moyes has revealed that the 24-year-old attacking midfielder could be out for up to six weeks.
While this is certainly a major blow to the Hammers’ chances of escaping the drop to the Championship at the end of the season, the former Sunderland and Everton manager has revealed that imminent signing Joao Mario is similar to the former River Plate star.
According to BBC Sport, the 25-year-old midfielder is set to join the Hammers on loan from Inter Milan in the January transfer window.
Moyes wrote in The London Evening Standard: “If we’re talking recovery time, Manu would be longer — maybe four to six weeks — and that is very disappointing because he’s been playing so well for us.”
“I don’t want to say too much until it is done but I was at the Euro 2016 Final when Portugal played France, so I had an opportunity to watch Joao there. He can play in a number of roles,” added Moyes. “There’s a little bit of Manuel Lanzini about his play. He could play off the left or right and even as a No10 if needed.
“I hope he will be a player who will create and score a few goals for us. Even before Manu’s injury we were looking to add some creativity but now the need for that type of player is even more acute.”
Lanzini is arguably the most creative player in the current West Ham team, and the London Stadium outfit will hope that Mario can replace him in the side and can hit the ground running.
The Portugal international is a hugely experienced footballer, and West Ham fans should be optimistic about him.
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