West Ham man Manuel Lanzini could hold talks to return to River Plate this summer, courtesy of the contacts his agent has at the club.
That’s according to La Pagina Millonaria, who say Lanzini has been fuelling the rumours after a recent meeting with River vice-president Matian Patanian.
They explain that Lazini is ‘one of the protagonists’ whose name comes up in every transfer window because of his affiliation with River.
He has a ‘sense of belonging’ with the club, who he started his career with as a youngster, and that has led him to publicly admit he would love a return on several occasions.
However, Lanzini has been ‘feeding the fantasy of the fans’, those in charge of River and even manager Marcelo Gallardo.
That’s because the West Ham man met with River vice-president Patanian after the recent clash with Aston Villa.
Now, this was all part of a ‘protocol’ visit to Europe for Patanian, who met with several former River Plate players during the trip, but it has naturally fed the rumours, particularly as Lanzini regularly shares his love for the Argentinian side publicly.
This was another demonstration of that, and there are other factors that make a move possible, too, including the option of working with Gallardo, who he has spoken positively about in the past.
That, coupled with the presence of Leandro Gonzalez Perez at the club, a close friend of the West Ham man, could tempt him into the move.
A transfer would have to be worked out with West Ham, but Lanzini’s current deal only runs until 2023, and there has been no hint of a renewal as yet, which could encourage the Hammers to sell this summer
While a deal ‘seems quite difficult’ this summer, there is hope for River. The closeness of the World Cup and the fact his agent, Hernan Berman, has a ‘good relationship’ with River’s management ‘could lead to some negotiations’ between both clubs.
Ultimately it all depends on Lanzini’s desire to make it happen, but there are plenty of factors that could tempt him into a move and for River to ‘repatriate a prodigal son’.
