West Ham face a major test this summer to improve their squad and keep their key-players at the London Stadium but the early signs ahead of the upcoming transfer window has been positive, following the latest breakthrough that suggests an important player won’t be leaving the club.

Following on from Michail Antonio’s new contract last week, Argentine ace Manuel Lanzini has insisted he is happy in his current surroundings and is now looking for an exit this summer- amidst reported interest from Everton and other Premier League sides.

Lanzini is set for a huge season next term as the creative attacker looks to fill the void left by Dimitri Payet’s return to Marseille in January and the early confirmation that he’s not looking towards an exit in the close-season is another timely boost for the Hammers.

Speaking to the club’s website, Lanzini said:

“The season was good for me on a personal level. At the beginning it was not great [as I suffered an injury on international duty in pre-season], but then I could achieve a good level.”

“Dimi [Payet] is a great player. He left and it was not good news for the squad but luckily at the end I had a very good season. We achieved the points to stay in Premier League, which was the most important thing.”

“We did not have a good start of the season, but now we need to think in the next game and the next season. For now, I am thinking of the next game then thinking of having good holidays with the family. I am very happy here. Next year, if we work hard, we will get a better result.”

Lanzini’s comments will certainly be music to the ears of West Ham supporters but the message it sends out to the rest of the Premier League is crucial, as it shows the Hammers continue to eye bigger things and won’t become a selling club.

With Antonio’s future secured and Lanzini also set to stay, the Hammers have two big players to build a successful side around and it should lead to a positive transfer window- as Slaven Bilic’s side eye major improvements.

Lanzini and Antonio have both been influential this season, with the pair having 17 Premier League goals this season and standing as the club’s two highest goal-scorers this term.

With the right attacking additions to compensate this star duo, West Ham should be able to push towards a Europa League spot next season and get their ambitions back on track following what has been a transitional first season at the London Stadium.

West Ham travel to Burnley this weekend to finish their Premier League campaign and will seek redemption following a 4-0 drubbing from Liverpool last weekend.