Lanzini deal is “close”

ClaretandHugh Exclusive by Hugh Southon

West Ham are confident they have a deal for Manu Lanzini in the bag and that it could be concluded by next week.

The club have been talking to the midfield maestro’s advisers  for several weeks and the player’s main agent will be arriving in London over the next seven days when the club hopes to put the finishing touches to the deal.

The player claimed yesterday that he was extremely keen to stay at the club which he sees as “family” and it now seems that a deal is now very much on the cards.

It is unclear how long a new contract will cover but it would be unlikely to be less than five years taking him to 31 years of age.

A high Hammers source told us by e mail this evening: “A deal is close and could be tied up by next week.”

Should the Hammers conclude the deal as expected it means they have held on Declan Rice, Issa Diop and  the Argentine playmaker besides twice breaking their transfer record via Felipe Anderson and Seb Haller over the last two seasons.