Lazio’s sporting director has revealed that his side turned down a €50 million bid for the services of Felipe Anderson from Manchester United in August.
The Red Devils were linked to the Brazilian attacker during the summer, and while the forward remained in Serie A, the rumours tipping him for a move to Old Trafford have not gone away, according to ESPN.
As reported by the site, Lazio official Igil Tare has added weight to the rumours linking the forward with a switch to Old Trafford by confirming that the Biancocelesti received a bid from the player from United during the summer.
“We turned down a €50m offer from Manchester United on August 27 and nothing has changed since then, because if he finds consistency, then he’s worth much more,” the sporting director said to Mediaset Premium, as per ESPN.
“We also resisted bigger offers than that, but we have targets to achieve.”
The sporting director went on to confirm that Louis van Gaal was yet to return with a new offer for the South American forward, who found the net during a three-minute cameo as Lazio beat high-flying Fiorentina 3-1 in Serie A on Saturday.
“So far we haven’t received anything from Manchester United,” the official continued. “He is going through a negative period of form and he knows that, we talked a great deal.
“He has to find his calm, he is a player who is now well-known and feared. He has what it takes to emerge from this negative moment.”
While the Red Devils saw off Sheffield United on Saturday to advance in the FA Cup, familiar failings reared their ugly head for the Old Trafford heavyweights, as they laboured in offensive areas and wholly lacked the creative inspiration required to put the lower-league side to the sword.
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Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay have failed to truly establish themselves in England, while Wayne Rooney remains inconsistent.
Felipe Anderson, who can play on either flank, could be just the kind of player to ignite some vitality and invention into United’s forward line.