da bet sport： Liverpool are likely to turn to West Ham United star Manuel Lanzini if Philippe Coutinho leaves to join Barcelona this summer, according to Bleacher Report.
What’s the story?
da bwin： Doubt has shrouded Coutinho’s future at Anfield ever since reports emerged that the Spanish giants are stepping up their pursuit of the Brazilian.
Sport recently claimed that Liverpool could be tempted into selling if Barcelona submitted an £89m offer after their initial £72m bid was rejected.
If Coutinho does succumb to the allure of Camp Nou, then Bleacher Report claims that Lanzini will become the Reds’ top target.
The Argentine has been at West Ham for a year, and in that time has scored eight goals and produced two assists in 35 Premier League appearances.
Lanzini became a pivotal figure for the Hammers once Dimitri Payet left the club to rejoin Marseille in January.
Can West Ham afford to lose him?
The East London outfit have had a positive transfer window bringing in experienced Premier League players.
Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez have all arrived at the London Stadium this summer, but losing Lanzini would throw a dark cloud over an otherwise positive summer.
The London Evening Standard claims that West Ham will reject any approach made by Liverpool, and that is the correct stance to have.
While Lanzini is not known to be unhappy at the London club, it could be difficult to turn down the chance of Champions League football at Anfield.
Is Lanzini good enough to replace Coutinho?
Liverpool are not quite in the same position that they were when Luis Suarez left because on that occasion, they were losing one of the best forward’s in the world.
Coutinho is the Reds’ best player and talisman, but in Jurgen Klopp’s system, there are other members who could come in and fill the role.
That is not to say that it would not be a huge blow to lose a player of the Brazilian’s calibre, and Liverpool should try to keep hold of him, but every player has a price.
Lanzini would have huge boots to fill and he is not at the same level as Coutinho, but he is a creative talent and would fit in Klopp’s system.
At the age of 24, the Argentine is edging towards the peak of his career, and Liverpool could potentially get the best out of him.