ABU DHABI // Al Jazira have yet to receive official contact from West Ham United to sign Manuel Lanzini on a permanent contract, although they fully expect the Premier League club to do so before the April deadline.
The Argentine, recruited from River Plate on a four-year deal in the summer of 2014, joined West Ham on a season-long loan last August and has since been a huge success, scoring on debut in the Europa League. He has also registered four goals in 13 league appearances.
A €10 million (Dh40m) clause in the temporary contract allows West Ham to make permanent the deal, an option that needs to be activated by the end of April.
ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi was 'a step to Europe' as Al Jazira's Manuel Lanzini makes his mark at West Ham
On Monday, West Ham’s co-chairman David Sullivan said he anticipates a move for the attacking midfielder will be finalised in February or March, with Jazira certain Lanzini’s displays thus far have convinced the London club to do business.
“If they decide before April 30 to buy Lanzini then they have to pay €10m,” Jazira’s CEO, Ayed Mabkhout, said. “If they pay it, we will take it.
“There have been no discussions with West Ham until now, but I think they’re going to do it. His performance has been very good up to this moment and they need the player, but we have to wait for something official from them.”
Lanzini, 22, returned to first-team action only on Monday having sustained a thigh injury in the league match with West Bromich Albion on November 29. In his season with Jazira, he scored eight goals to help the capital club finish second.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
