“He wants to go to Aston Villa, he knows the manager there”- Frank McAvennie says West Ham playmaker is keen to join Aston Villa and Unai Emery this summer

West Ham Legend Frank McAvennie believes Manuel Lanzini is interested in a move to Aston Villa this summer after it was confirmed he’ll be leaving West Ham.

Turkish news outlet Fotomac reported on 10 June that Villa, Besiktas and River Plate are all in the hunt to sign Lanzini, 30, after he struggled for game time at the London Stadium last season.

Since that report was published, West Ham have confirmed that the Argentine playmaker will be leaving the club at the end of the month when his contract expires.

McAvennie is a fan of Lanzini and predicts the potential arrival of Harvey Barnes from Leicester City to be something that would’ve pushed him further down David Moyes’ pecking order.

If Villa are interested, ex-Irons striker McAvennie suggests Lanzini would be open to a move there because he knows manager Unai Emery.

Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I like Lanzini, he’s a good player but he’s not been playing, has he?

“West Ham have a helluva five across the middle so it’s a strange one and it depends on who they’re bringing in.

“Harvey Barnes is good going forward but he can also put his foot in the tackle and do the dirty work as well. He can win the ball back and be a part of that team.

“Lanzini want to go [to Aston Villa] to play and he knows the manager there.

“It is what it is.

“West Ham have won the cup and he’s got his medal. But if he doesn’t want to be there then he’s got to go.

“You need to play every week. I can’t see why players want to stay there when they don’t get a game.”

Lanzini joined West Ham initially on loan from Al Jazira in 2015 before that deal was made permanent 12 months later.

The five-time Argentina international has scored 32 goals and supplied 28 assists in 226 appearances across all competitions for the Hammers.