Liverpool might be losing out on one of the best players in the Premier League as the Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona transfer saga continues. One of the players that has been linked as a replacement for the Brazilian has been Manuel Lanzini.

The Argentine has been one of the brightest players for West Ham over the last two seasons and there are a few, who predict that the attacker would be a great option for us. However, Slaven Bilic, the West Ham manager is not willing to let go of the star anytime soon. As quoted by Football London, the Croatian said:

“I spoke with him last season a few times, at the end of the season, and at the beginning of the pre-season and he knows we are looking after him.”

The manager further added that the Argentine was one of the key players for the London side and that he has a long contract.

“He is one of our key players, definitely. He has a big year ahead of him and we know his situation and we’re going to do everything possible to sort him out.

“He has got a long contract with us but, let’s be honest, the chairman always used to appreciate those sorts of situations and I know he activated his clause even before he had to. He already showed him how much we respect him and he deserves from us to do it again. No doubt he is our key player and we’re going to well look after him.

“When I said he is a great lad, he never showed me – and we speak on a daily basis – any sort of things that he is unhappy.”

Bilic concluded by adding that Lanzini was actually happy playing for the London side and that he even likes his current situation.

“Of course every player knows his situation and wants to use his situation in a good way for himself, but I know for sure that he is happy here and he likes it.”

This is the usual talk ahead of any transfer that might take place, with the manager coming out and claiming that his player is happy and is not for sale. We saw Jurgen Klopp do the same for Coutinho this season and even though the Brazilian has not gone, there still is a possibility of him moving before the end of the window.

Replacing the 25-year-old will not be easy for sure but bringing in Lanzini would be risky, even if it is for a cut-price deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_ysa3AKx6Q