‘Deal done’ as huge sell-on clause aids Italian move for West Ham misfit
Reports claim winger Felipe Anderson will join Lazio from West Ham United this summer after the two clubs reached an agreement over the finances involved in the transfer.
The 28-year-old is well known to fans of the Rome-based outfit, having spent five successful seasons at Stadio Olimpico. The Brazilian joined from Santos in June 2013 and made 177 appearances in all competitions, scoring 34 goals. That prompted the Hammers to make a move and they forked out a reported £36m for his services in the summer of 2018.
The South American enjoyed an excellent first campaign in the East End, starting 36 Premier League games. He enjoyed working with former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, scoring nine league goals.
But the man with two Brazil caps failed to push on and his career stagnated the following season. Pellegrini’s departure and the arrival of David Moyes saw his game time reduced.
He scored just once in 25 top-flight outings while a back injury hampered his progress at the London Stadium. The decision was taken to loan him to Porto for 2020-2021 and the attacking midfielder seemed up for the challenge.
At the time he said he was looking forward to playing in the Champions League and Primeira Liga. But it was also an exercise in trying to get back into the West Ham first team the following season.
However, it turned out to be a nightmare campaign, as he made just one league start among five outings for Dragoes. He fell out with manager Sergio Conceicao who publicly criticised the playmaker’s work ethic.
The Santa Maria-born ace has returned to London but it looks likely to be a temporary stay.
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Anderson set for Lazio reunion
Sky Sport Italia are reporting that West Ham and the Biancocelesti have agreed the terms of his move to the Eternal City. The clubs have agreed a fee of just €3m but no money will change hands.
That is because it is the same amount that the Premier League club still owed the Italians over his 2018 move. It might sound like a raw deal for Moyes’s side but there is a clause in the deal to placate the Londoners.
West Ham will receive 50 per cent of any future fee should Anderson move on from Rome. It was suggested earlier this week that personal terms had been agreed.
And Gianluca Di Mazio is reporting that the deal is done and he will ply his trade for Lazio in 2021-22.
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