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West Ham determined to keep Manuel Lanzini and will resist any Liverpool approach

Speculation: Liverpool will reportedly target Lanzini if Coutinho heads to Barca: West Ham United via Getty Images
Speculation: Liverpool will reportedly target Lanzini if Coutinho heads to Barca: West Ham United via Getty Images

West Ham are adamant they will strongly resist any interest from Liverpool for their playmaker Manuel Lanzini.

Speculation has been growing in Merseyside that Barcelona are preparing an £80million bid for Liverpool’s Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho and that, should he go, Lanzini would be in the frame as a replacement.

Liverpool want to keep Coutinho but if he leaves, the money received would give them the opportunity to move for Lanzini.

However, West Ham are determined to keep the 24-year-old, who is called ‘The Jewel’, particularly because they have signed players of the quality of Javier Hernandez, Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Marko Arnautovic in this transfer window. Selling Lanzini would send out the wrong message after the club worked to strengthen their squad.

Lanzini has become a firm favourite of the West Ham fans since he arrived, initially on loan, from UAE Arabian Gulf team Al Jazira two years ago and his profile has risen even more, following the departure of Dimitri Payet in January.