Revealed: Manchester United prepare £40million bid to land attacker this month

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

11 Jan 2016, 9:30 pm

By Italy correspondent Gianluigi Carrozzini

Manchester United are preparing an offer of £40million for Lazio winger Felipe Anderson, Football Insider sources understand.

As reported by Football Insider, the Premier League giants have had a £37.6million bid for Anderson rejected by the Serie A club.

United are ready to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer for the Brazilian attacker in an attempt to tie up a deal this month.

A source from the club has told Football Insider that the bid was worth an initial £30million plus £7.6million of performance-related add-ons.

Lazio are keen to hold out for a higher fee for the 22-year-old, who transferred from Santos in the summer of 2013. He signed a new contract last March that runs until the summer of 2020.

Anderson, who has lost his regular starting place for the Italian side in recent weeks, came off the bench to score in Lazio's 3-1 win over Fiorentina on Saturday night.

Speaking afterwards to Sky Sports, the Brazil international admitted that he could leave Lazio this month in what is a significant boost for Louis van Gaal.

He said: "I'm living a difficult moment, but I still try to do well. Future? I'm not sure if I'll stay, I just focus on working and giving my best. Then we'll see."

United are ready to return with a bigger offer for the winger, who has scored five goals and supplied three assists in his 26 appearances for Lazio this season.

Fast track: Louis van Gaal wants to add pace to the United forward line

United manager Louis van Gaal has made it clear to United that one of his priorities is to recruit a mobile wide forward capable of getting in behind defences and creating and scoring goals.

Anderson, who was earned one cap for the Brazil national team, is predominantly used on the left flank by his club.

United are also keen on £30million-rated Sadio Mane but have been told by Southampton that he is not for sale this month.

Van Gaal's side have struggled to create and score goals this season despite vast investment in the squad over the last two years.

Manchester United

Sadio Mane

Lazio

Felipe Anderson