David Moyes must find a suitor willing to buy Felipe Anderson this summer, amid claims FC Porto will snub a permanent transfer for the West Ham United winger.
What’s the word?
According to Pedro Almeida, Anderson has failed to convince Porto executives to pursue a full-time deal following his season on loan at the Estadio do Dragao.
The Brazilian is instead expected to return to the London Stadium, but will not be a part of Moyes’ plans next term with a move away from England looking likely.
Anderson has struggled to establish himself in the Liga NOS under Sergio Conceicao, with the 46-year-old coach only fielding the two-cap international in the starting line-up for five of his nine appearances across all competitions.
Fiorentina are noted to be one club that has shown an interest in signing Anderson, although the Serie A side’s position on a permanent or loan deal is not disclosed.
La Viola were linked with a potential loan move for the 28-year-old during the winter market when it was suggested that West Ham could recall Anderson from Porto.
The Hammers considered bringing the Brazilian back to east London in order to secure a new loan destination where he would feature, in order to better protect his market value ahead of a likely summer sale.
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It is not clear if Almeida was referencing Fiorentina’s interest in Anderson from January, or if the former Lazio star has retained a place on the Stadio Artemio Franchi natives’ shortlist of potential attacking targets.
Should West Ham sell Anderson?
Moyes noted after Anderson sealed his move to Porto that West Ham did not expect to lose the forward, but had claimed just weeks earlier that he needed to see the Brazilian deliver more consistent performances after being left underwhelmed by his efforts.
“I’ve got to say, the two of them are great to work with, the two of them are really good lads – I like them a lot. Felipe is a terrific lad, so is Seb [Haller],” the Irons boss said, via quotes by the Evening Standard.
“But what I want them to be is terrific players every time they play, and I want them to make a difference. They were bought by the club to make a difference, one to be a major goalscorer and one to be a major assist maker.”
West Ham spent a then club-record £36m to sign Anderson from Lazio in 2018, but would only see the forward offer one assist and two goals in 12 appearances under Moyes following the former Manchester United head coach’s appointment in December 2019.
Anderson’s output meant he struggled to gain a frequent starting role before joining Porto, and his difficulties in the Liga NOS now leave the Irons in a challenging position trying to sell him this summer when the attacker will only have a year left on his contract.
Previous reports have suggested West Ham will have to accept a mammoth hit on the fee paid to Lazio, with claims that Anderson – who Frank McAvennie dubbed a “wonderful talent” – is now only worth £17m.
Selling for that figure would see Hammers co-owner David Sullivan accept losses of at least £28.8m, having awarded Anderson an £85,000-per-week deal that Porto agreed to cover during his loan stay.
Anderson was in east London for 116 weeks before moving to Portugal, earning £9.8m in wages, and would be due a further £4.4m if he spends the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.
Sullivan and Moyes must work tooth and nail to avoid Anderson spending the last year of his deal in claret and blue, having proven to be a disaster under the Scot and for Porto this season.
AND in other news, David Moyes could discover his Jesse Lingard replacement in a “gifted” £18m-rated maestro…
