Earlier today we covered a report from TMW which stated Felipe Anderson returning to Lazio from West Ham is ‘very likely’ during the current transfer window.
The Serie A club were expected to loan the Brazilian for the coming season, but given his contract expires next summer, Lazio would be obliged to make the move permanent for €8m.
Another way of putting it is an €8m permanent transfer, with completion delayed by a year.
Covering those claims we stated this seemed to be more Lazio’s desire, rather than something West Ham have agreed to, and Corriere dello Sport appear to back that hunch up.
Firstly, the Italian newspaper explain Maurizio Sarri has been a fan of Felipe Anderson since the player was at Lazio and the manager at Napoli. Now in charge in Rome, Sarri could sign the attacker, who is considered ideal for the manager’s 4-3-3 system.
The 28-year-old’s yearning for a return to Lazio is said to be ‘stronger and stronger’, and he’s ‘willing to cut his salary’ to help a move through.
Corriere dello Sport then get to the business end of things and insist there’s no agreement yet with West Ham. The Hammers have told the player’s agents they intend to work for a sale, but everything else, the twin desire of Lazio and Felipe Anderson, only becomes relevant if the clubs can agree.