So we now know with some certainty that Manchester United are keen on Lazio playmaker Felipe Anderson after the sporting director of his club admitted on Saturday that Manchester United had made a bid of 50m Euros for the 22 year old on 27th August 2015.
And, with the player also admitting that he doesn’t know where his future lies, there has been a suggestion from the club that the player’s head has been turned, or at least cluttered, by the Manchester United speculation.
The sporting director said:
“He has to find his calm, he is a player who is now well-known and feared. He has what it takes to emerge from this negative moment.”
Anderson has scored 5 goals in 20 games for his club the season but suggestions of a drop in form also came from his coach in midweek. The player was hooked at half-time after what was perceived to be a substandard performance the coach Stefano Pioli didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Manchester United target:
“I believe he can do a lot more. I know it and he knows it,”
“I had to change him because I’m the coach and I have to make decisions. But for the first 45 minutes I don’t think it was fair to focus everything on one player, I wanted the whole team to play with more rhythm and intensity.”
With Manchester United so desperate for inspiration in their ailing side you would imagine that this would be a nigh-on perfect signing. Anderson offers lightning pace, wonderful creativity and a genuine football brain.
But, with Manchester United so well funded, and so obviously desperate for reinforcements, Lazio look prepared to bend Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over a barrel and spank his bottom red raw over the price.
Watch this space as we could get a resolution on this one pretty soon.
