Manuel Lanzini: West Ham star reveals he wants River Plate return and has big ambitions
The Hammers playmaker has been a revelation in east London since arriving in the summer of 2015 on loan from Al Jazira. Slaven Bilic took a gamble on bringing the young Argentinian to England, but he has flourished in the Premier League. West Ham secured Lanzini on a permanent deal last March, with the midfielder tied down until 2020 on a four-year contract. The Hammers’ creative attacker has looked to fill the void since Dimitri Payet’s exit last month and he has shown Bilic he has the ability to lead the team forward.
GETTY Manuel Lanzini has flourished at West Ham and has big ambitions for his career
However, while Lanzini has said he is happy and enjoying life at West Ham, his heart lies with former side River Plate. He rose up through their youth ranks and shone for the first team before leaving for the UAE in 2014, and a move back is his aim long-term. "Obviously projecting into the future is difficult because you never know, but I want to go back to the club where I was born, where I grew up and I'm a fan,” Lanzini told TyC Sports. “It's what I want for my career, I do not know when it will happen, but it's what I want for some time.”
GETTY Manuel Lanzini aims to return to boyhood side River Plate in the future, but isn't sure when
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I’m enjoying it today, I'm happy about how we're doing at West Ham Manuel Lanzini
Lanzini, who turns 23 today, is still thinking of continuing to grow in Europe and holds ambitions of potentially reaching a top club. He added: “Today I am happy, in West Ham they make me feel at home. “But obviously you have to [look at] your career, if I do things right, and the options come alone and are analysed. I hope to continue this way. "I am happy with the decisions I made. It was not easy at the time I left for the UAE. It was a difficult decision, but I do not regret it. I’m enjoying it today, I'm happy about how we're doing at West Ham. "The truth is that I'm a fan of River and I want to be at all times, but you also have your career.
GETTY Manuel Lanzini insists he is happy at West Ham and living in London