West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is in the hunt for Lazio winger Felipe Anderson as he eyes up a trio of lightning fast wingers this summer, according to ExWHUemployee.
The Hammers insider, who has established themselves as a reliable source of information surrounding the east London club, state on their Twitter account that there is interest in the 25-year-old, one-cap Brazilian international, who scored eight times and chipped in with 10 assists for his Italian side this season, as the new manager looks for some pace out wide.
@ExWHUemployee Good Morning! Can you tell us if there is any truth behind our supposed interest in Felipe Anderson? Be a great signing if we could get him.
— Matthew Crane (@mattdcrane82) May 31, 2018
Yes I believe there is. Pellegrini wants a pacey winger and had considered Traore too (forgot to mention wingers on show). Problem with the Lazio player is that there are a load of clubs after him. There is another pacey winger from France on the radar too https://t.co/3mroGaIJht
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) May 31, 2018
The claim also states that the new boss at the London Stadium had looked at Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore, as well as another speed-machine from across the English Channel in France, with a fight for Felipe Anderson expected.
Opinion
West Ham might have had Marko Arnautovic brought in last summer but he has established himself as a centre forward, leaving the club needing to reinforce out wide once again. Michail Antonio’s injury left the likes of attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini pushed out onto the wing from his natural central role, and it is no surprise that Pellegrini is keen to bring in some new talent. The Hammers could probably do with two new recruits to help bolster the squad, especially if the new manager plans on playing the way he did at Manchester City, where he had the likes of Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri down the flanks. Anderson seems hot property and the Irons will face a tough task of convincing him to head to the London Stadium, but Traore could likely be persuaded after missing out on promotion with Middlesbrough. As for the unknown player from France, there have been some hits and some misses from Britain’s near-neighbours, and it could well be a risky move.