ny lingering hope among the Hammers fans that Christian Eriksen could depart Inter Milan for the London Stadium have finally been killed off.

It was always the widest rumour of the winter but was seriously milked by the European media as is usually the case in the summer and January.

Stories that boss Antonio Conte was disappointed with him and ready to sell were around for some time but they have now seemingly all been put to bed.

After the fires had  been stoked up that the player could arrive on loan after being frozen out at Inter it now seems that boss Conte is keen to see him become a central part of the team.

Football Italia reports the manager  has had a change of heart and wants to keep the former Spurs player.

“We’ve had time to work with Eriksen on a tactical level in the position of playmaker, the one currently held by Marcelo Brozovic,” Conte said on Tuesday as reported by Football Italia.

“I expect great things from him in that position.”

Despite managers sometimes gilding the lily Conte immediately acted on his statement and started Eriksen in the playmaker role, playing him for the  full 120 minutes of Inter’s extra-time Coppa Italia win over Fiorentina.