West Ham are close to giving up on moves for Lazio’s Felipe Anderson.
The right sided midfielder was one of the first names on manager Manuel Pellegrini’s wish list but although the Hammers remain in touch with the Serie A club, hopes are now fading that a deal can be done.
According to some reports in Italy the deal is coming closer but that runs contrary to everything we have been told currently from inside the Hammers.
Despite agreeing an £80k a week wage with the player and his advisers, Lazio presdient Claudio Lotito is refusing to budge on a €million valuation leaving the two sides €10 million apart.
It has now reached the staged where the Hammers insist this is their ‘take it or leave it’ offer on a deal that has blown hot and cold for several weeks.
A final decision on the ongoing situation is expected to be decided at Monday’s meeting between boss Manuel Pellegrini and the Hammers board.
And there remains the hope that given Lazio’s financial troubles the Italian club will accept what’s on the table.
I find it hard to understand clubs when they receive a good offer for a player that they just keep wanting more – it is called greed. Lazio will struggle to get another offer like the one we have made if reports are correct. In any case I really don’t know much about this lad but if the manager wants him I hope we can get him. The player I do really like is Correa from Sevilla. I would love to think we could get both of these players.
They need to get this deal over the line, not only will it make a big statement player wise and he will add to the team it will show that the board can get big deals done on an international front, something most West Ham fans are currently dubious about.
It’s a game of blink. Take or leave it is the right approach, especially as Correa is potentially in our sights.
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