Leeds United make enquiry for West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini
Leeds United have reportedly made an enquiry to sign West Ham attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini amid his early-season drop in form.
According to TEAMtalk, the Hammers have rebuffed the enquiries that have come in for the 28-year-old.
Barring Leeds, the likes of Everton, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Southampton are also keen on securing the Argentina international’s services.
Can do better
It’s believed that the Hammers were keen on selling the 28-year-old in the summer, but things have changed given his resurgence.
However, even though he’s been better than he usually is, he is in no way good enough to fit into Marcelo Bielsa’s system at Elland Road.
His Argentine compatriot demands a great deal off the ball from his players, which is something that Lanzini just cannot match.
At 28, he would be seen as a short-term investment and Victor Orta and the board could veto it, given Bielsa’s uncertain future at the club.
Ideally, they would look for someone younger than 25 who’s capable of playing the number 8 or box-to-box midfield role.
For all the talents Lanzini has, which includes scoring “magnificent” goals, he is not a player that Bielsa would be too keen to work with.
The Croatian is a player, who on his day, could be a joy to watch, but not one who would give his 100 per cent in every game.
That is an immediate red flag for Bielsa and it will take a great deal of work on the training field to get Lanzini to play the way he wants.
In other Leeds United news, a reliable journalist has issued a three-word response to the club’s reported interest in Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley