Former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie is unsurprised by speculation suggesting Manuel Lanzini wants to leave the London Stadium at the end of the season.
The Argentine playmaker was reportedly close to joining Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day and is expected to move on this summer having fallen down the pecking order under David Moyes.
Having featured prominently in previous campaigns, the 28-year-old has made just 13 Premier League appearances this season – failing to complete 90 minutes during any outing.
Under contract until 2023 and valued at £9m (Transfermarkt), Lanzini will likely fetch the Hammers a reasonable sum in the transfer market and McAvennie told Football FanCast he can understand why the midfielder would want to leave the club:
“The boy’s not getting a game, so if he’s not getting a game then he’s got to go. As a player, if you’re not getting a game then you’ve got to go. Sometimes you have just got to play. Lanzini has been out of the team for so long. He’s a luxury player.
“(Said) Benrahma when he came in, and David Moyes said ‘you’re losing the ball too much’. Lanzini is a little bit like that. He’s probably spoken to both of them, but Benrahma seems to have bought into what David Moyes is telling them. Great player, but Lanzini is a luxury.
“I’m not surprised he wants to quit. Benrahma has bought into West Ham, and that’s why Lanzini is not getting a game.”
Should West Ham Sell Manuel Lanzini?
Yes
No
Putting the stunning last-minute equaliser against Tottenham from this season aside for a second, Lanzini’s influence has waned dramatically this season as Moyes’ squad vastly improves.
Should this summer be the end of the road for the Argentinian in east London, he will leave having been a superb servant to the Irons in his 153 appearances to date.