LANZINI: HAMMERS REBUFF INTEREST FOR PLAYMAKER

West Ham United are reportedly keen to hold on to the services of playmaker Manuel Lanzini amidst the interest from the Premier League duo of Aston Villa and Leeds United.

Lanzini, 28, is said to be considering his future at West Ham United as per the report from TeamTalk. The Argentine international wants more first team opportunities and he’s preparedto leave his London club in the bid to get it. His quest to leave West Ham United in the January transfer window has put interested clubs like Aston Villa and Leeds United on red alert. However, West Ham United boss David Moyes is keen to hang on to the playmaker ahead of the second half of the season thus making it difficult for Leeds United and Aston Villa who are keen to sign the midfielder.

Lanzini has been a member of the West Ham United squad since 2016 and he has had a difficult fee years at the club mainly due to the lack of starts in the Premier League. Since the start of last season, Lanzini has made eight Premier League starts and three of those eight starts have come in the current Premier League season. Lanzini is behind Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma in the attacking pecking order at West Ham United at the moment.

Argentine midfielder Lanzinihas not been able to adapt well to the tactical philosophy under manager David Moyes at West Ham United thereby leading to speculation over his future at the East London club with Leeds United and Aston Villa keen to sign him when the transfer window reopens next month.

Leeds United are eyeing a number of reinforcements in the January transfer window as they bid to move away from the relegation zone. The Whites are five points clear of Burnley in the final relegation spot though the Clarets have played three games more.