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West Ham United are set to offer Manuel Lanzini a new contract, per Football Insider.

What’s the word?

The Argentina international has been limited to nine appearances thus far this season, due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in the summer.

He made his comeback against Fulham in February and played seven more games on the bounce before sustaining another injury blow versus Manchester United.

He missed two outings, against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as a result of the issue but returned, yet again, for the clash with Southampton.

Lanzini’s current deal expires at the end of next season but the report claims that the Hammers hold the option to extend that until 2022.

Nevertheless, West Ham are said to be desperate to tie the attacking midfielder down, with a wage rise set to take his pay beyond the current £70,000-per-week.

Football FanCast reported in February that Liverpool have explored the possibility of signing Lanzini ahead of the summer transfer window.

A major risk

Lanzini has yet to prove his fitness.

He is clearly a very good player and he has routinely produced moments of magic during his spell at the London Stadium.

However, his injury in the summer could well have set him back when it comes to his resilience to injuries, and he yet again tore a muscle versus United.

Offering him a raise on his £70,000-per-week wages right now could prove to be a masterstroke and it could head off any potential suitors, but there is also the prospect of him failing to pay the money back by spending even more time on the treatment table.

The Hammers already have Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll on their books; they had better tread carefully before tying down another crock.