Some confusing signals out of Italy on the future of Lazio star Felipe Anderson and whether he is heading to Manchester United this summer for a huge transfer fee.
The 22-year-old Brazilian was heavily linked with a move to United during the summer transfer window last year with Lazio conforming that they turned down a bid worth €50m in August 2015 for the talented midfielder.
The source on the transfer is Lazio president Claudio Lotito was was overheard confirming the move after seeing his other club, Salernitana, draw 1-1 with Crotone in Serie B at the weekend.
“I bought Felipe Anderson for €8m [from Santos] and I’ve sold him on for €60m,” Lotito said, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. “Next season, he’s going to Manchester United.”
Lazio have subsequently denied the quotes attributed to Lotito, issuing a statement via their website saying:
“In reference to the statements attributed to President Claudio Lotito regarding the alleged sale of the player Felipe Anderson, SS Lazio notes that these reports are devoid of any foundation”.
It sounds like Lotito was caught unaware talking about an offer that they would be crazy to turn down again. Sixty million Euros is a huge offer for a player who has struggled this season as Anderson obviously had his head turned by United’s offer.
While Anderson has a reputation as one of European football’s most exciting prospects, he has managed only six goals this season, and is career in Italy can best be summed up as inconsistent.
His inconsistency makes me wonder why United are willing to spend that much money on him especially after this recent comment from United CEO Ed Woodward:
‘Some players are bought by other clubs with an eye to them developing into something special in a few years’ time, where there is a bit more pressure on the bigger clubs to bring in players who hit the ground running and are verging on world-class almost immediately. There is a slightly different market in which people are buying.’
If United are going to spend that sort of money on a player why not got a finished product? Some like Real Madrid star James Rodríguez?
