According to articles in the Daily Star and the Mirror, West Ham are preparing themselves for bids from their Premier League counterparts with creative midfielder Manuel Lanzini high on the summer wishlist for a few sides in England’s top flight.

West Ham are eager to keep hold of the 24-year-old Argentine, who has impressed since a successful loan move from Al-Jazira in Abu Dhabi was made permanent in a £10m move last summer.

This season, his statistics have been impressive considering how mediocre Slaven Bilic’s side have performed.

– 50 chances created, 87% pass completion rate
– 48 key passes, 68.3% successful take-ons
– Eight goals, two assists

Since Dimitri Payet’s acrimonious exit in January, West Ham will be even more keen to keep hold of a key player like Lanzini.

A £30m price-tag is said to try and ward off potential suitors, but it has just motivated them further to try and negotiate a deal. West Ham are keen to tie the creative midfielder down to an extended contract with bonuses to persuade him from joining one of the Premier League’s top sides.

Liverpool are already quietly looking for possible replacements for Philippe Coutinho, should the Brazilian be tempted to join Barcelona. Everton also have their sights set on the Argentine, as a possible alternative to Barkley who is still yet to sign an extension with the club.

Arsenal and Tottenham, as usual, have also been linked. In reality though, it seems unlikely that either club from north London will make a formal approach for his services after one good campaign in the league.

Stats’ source: Squawka