West Ham should not hesitate to sell Manuel Lanzini… at the right price

Rumors are growing that Manuel Lanzini has turned down a new 5-year contract at West Ham. With one year left on his contract, it will be tough for the Irons to sell him at their desired value. However, due to his durability concerns, West Ham should pull the trigger on a potential sale should the right bid come in.

I’ll start off by saying that Manuel Lanzini, fully fit and on his day, is a quality Premier League attacking midfielder. He is one of West Ham’s best players and creates so much going forward for the Hammers. His link-up play is superb, his pinpoint passing cuts open opposing defenses, and you can always count on him for a couple moments of brilliance scoring beautiful goals. The problem is, we do not see this Lanzini enough.

After a massive injury in Argentina training which saw him rupture multiple ligaments in his knee, Lanzini returned for the final 10 Premier League games on the season, scoring a goal and adding 2 assists. In the 2017/2018 season, Lanzini missed a total of 11 games with multiple knee and hamstring injuries as well. He also missed 7 games in the 2016/2017 season with another knee injury as well. He simply cannot seem to stay fit for a full season.

Lanzini’s injury history suggests that he may never remain fit enough to consistently contribute in the Premier League. Fans rightly adore him, and it’s true that, at times, he can be an extremely effective and lethal attacker. However, there are too many injury risks with him at the moment to conclude that he deserves a 5-year contract with improved wages. If the right offer comes in for Lanzini, Pellegrini should at least consider the possibility of a sale.

West Ham have so many areas that need to be addressed this summer. Depth-wise, the back-line looks thin and could use a few signings; the midfield needs to be strengthened, and bringing another striker to the squad seems to be what Pellegrini wants. I would never cave in and sell a player of Lanzini’s quality for peanuts. However, West Ham should keep an open mind should a decent offer come in. The Irons need players that can be workhorses week in and out next season, and the Argentine’s fitness will continue to be a question.

Like most West Ham fans, I adore Manuel Lanzini. But don’t let your love for the player blind you from the fact that the Hammers have many key areas to address this transfer window. Lanzini’s injury history speaks for itself, and the truth of the matter is that the Hammers, who have dealt with a myriad of injuries over the past two years, need to stay fit as a squad to push into a European league position. Lanzini’s quality has never been in question. His fitness, however, is just too much of a gamble.