Manuel Lanzini poised for new contract as West Ham ward off Liverpool interest

The 24-year-old has become a hugely influential player in Slaven Bilic's team, especially following the departure of Dimitri Payet.

West Ham's No10 is key to the club's image going forward, with Lanzini seen as somewhat of a poster boy at the London Stadium.

The Hammers secured the playmaker on a permanent deal from Al Jazira last summer following an impressive breakthrough season on loan in east London.

He penned a contract until 2020, meaning he still has three years left on his current deal.

However, with Liverpool circling as they look set to lose Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, West Ham have moved to secure Lanzini's future at the club.

The Argentina ace, who was handed his full international debut in June, is on a much lower salary compared to West Ham's other star players.

And Express Sport understands Lanzini is poised to receive a major pay hike to bring him in line with the squad's top earners.

That will likely take him up to around the £80,000-a-week mark.

An announcement over a new deal for Lanzini could also be confirmed soon.

Amid Liverpool's interest and a potential pursuit depending on Coutinho's departure, the sooner West Ham tie Lanzini down the better for them.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart eluded last week on Instagram to his new team-mate putting pen to paper.

Following the Hammers' strong transfer business in July, sorting Lanzini's contract has become a priority. 

West Ham have shown their ambition to bounce back from a poor season with the additions of Javier Hernandez, Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Marko Arnautovic.

And that has only helped in convincing Lanzini he can be a leading player in an improving team under Slaven Bilic.

Lanzini has been sidelined in the latter stages of pre-season with a knee injury, but he is expected to return to the starting XI for West Ham's opening Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday (4pm).