West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini is unlikely to be joining River Plate in the coming months, despite rumours to the contrary.
That’s according to Vermouth Deportivo and journalist Marcelo Patroncini, who say the player is not interested in the switch.
Lanzini is out of contract at West Ham in the summer, meaning that next month is the last opportunity the Hammers have to make money from a sale before losing him on a free in the summer.
That had seen the player linked with a move back to River Plate, who need to find a replacement for Juan Fernando Quintero.
They are actively trying to do that and Lanzini’s named had ‘circulated in recent hours’ but it seems that won’t be happening.
Vermouth Deportivo reports that the player’s representatives have ‘slipped’ them information that Lanzini would not be interested in the switch as the player is currently a starter for West Ham and ‘has offers for this winter window’.
Furthermore, they have not yet closed the door to a possible renewal with West Ham and he still considers himself an important player in the Premier League.
The latter is important as it means he sees a move to River Plate as a major step down at this point, despite his ‘affection and passion’ for his former club.
Thus, a return seems unlikely at this point, particularly as River Plate would also have to pay a figure in excess of €5m to sign him from West Ham next month.
