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Felipe Anderson an attractive option but doesn’t solve West Ham’s clear weaknesses
According to reports from the , West Ham have launched an audacious £35 million bid for impressive winger Felipe Anderson who currently plays for Lazio in Serie A.
The 25-year-old right winger is highly rated after firing four goals and providing seven assists last season and would be an impressive addition for Manuel Pellegrini and his side.
However, according to the , West Ham have a summer budget of £75 million and to spend nearly half of that on a winger – considering their biggest problems lie in central midfield and defensive areas – could cost the Hammers if they fail to spend smartly.
West Ham captain Mark Noble is now 31 years of age and, despite another reasonably solid campaign from the Englishman, Pellegrini must surely be considering expanding his midfield options as the club cannot keep relying on their skipper to feature in more than 30 league games per season.
Meanwhile, Senegal captain Cheikhou Kouyate is another player who hasn’t cut it in the midfield area for the Hammers. The 28-year-old has been a regular scapegoat for supporters with poor performances frustrating the club’s fans who, after four years, still remain unaware of his strongest position.
At a week he is one of the club’s higher earners and, considering his poor form, this is another position that should surely prioritise over another attacking addition.
Defensive issues are another problem the West Ham board must surely address ahead of further firepower up-top, considering they boasted the worst defensive statistics last season, conceding the most goals in the Premier League, alongside relegated Stoke City.
With Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic arguably the East London side’s best players, the Hammers’ forward options are not in desperate need of a reshuffle. Under a new manager, Javier Hernández could also still yet prove himself as the potent goal scorer that he is, next season.
It’s positive to see West Ham being linked with such impressive European names, but if the club are to kick on and achieve a desired top-ten finish next season, it would surely be smarter to strengthen in more appropriate areas before pursuing attractive attacking options.