West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini is a summer target for Marseille with manager Jorge Sampaoli keen to reunite with his former Argentina ace, as reported by FootMercato.
While Lanzini’s stoppage-time pile-driver against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur will go down in West Ham folklore, the 2020/21 season was actually a frustrating one for the 28-year-old playmaker.
One of the club’s longest-serving players found himself stuck on the sidelines more often than not, with manager David Moyes preferring the likes of Pablo Fornals and January loan signing Jesse Lingard in the attacking midfield positions.
And, with just two years left on his £70,000-a-week contract, West Ham have a decision to make as Marseille prepare to offer Lanzini a fresh start on the other side of the Channel.
Will Manuel Lanzini leave West Ham?
According to reports from France, the 1993 European Champions have identified the former River Plate schemer as an alternative to their other Premier League midfield target, Arsenal’s poodle-haired forgotten man Matteo Guendouzi.
You’d think Lanzini would represent a cheap alternative to the Gunners misfit, however, and his relationship with Sampaoli could be another key factor in a potential summer switch.
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Lanzini played under the madcap tactician during Sampaoli’s time in charge of the Argentina national team. However, the midfielder missed out on a place in their 2018 World Cup squad following an ill-timed injury.
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However, given how the tournament went for the South American giants the phrase ‘lucky escape’ springs to mind.
FootMercato adds that Lanzini has discussed his potential move to Marseille with French-speaking members of the West Ham squad. Reading between the lines, it seems the Albiceleste ace is intrigued by the prospect of a fresh challenge after six years in England.
Should Lanzini join Marseille, however, that would leave Guendouzi’s Arsenal future more uncertain than ever.
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