Manchester United are well on their way to completing the signing of Felipe Anderson from Lazio in the January transfer window.
Anderson emerged as the primary target for Manchester United, with the club well aware some of their higher-profile targets – Neymar, James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, to name a few -- are unlikely to switch clubs in the winter transfer window.
The English Premier League side missed out on the signing of Felipe Anderson in the summer, after Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, deemed the transfer fee demands of Lazio to be too excessive. However, with Manchester United struggling in the Premier League, and a top four place looking far from a foregone conclusion, Woodward's need-to-buy-big-in-January hand has been forced, with the club willing to part with £35million to sign the Brazilian.
Manchester United officials flew to Rome to agree a deal with Lazio for Anderson, according to The Sun, and a transfer now looks imminent, considering the Premier League side are willing to meet the asking price.
According to the Daily Star, Anderson will receive a massive pay rise if the transfer goes through. The 22-year-old is on £70,000 a week at Lazio, but if he signs for Manchester United, his wages will be more than doubled to £170,000 a week.
Manchester United are willing to pay £30m up front to seal with the transfer of Felipe Anderson, with a further £5m coming via add-ons, according to the Daily Express.
If Manchester United do seal the transfer of Anderson, it will give the side a welcome creative boost, considering their struggles in front of goal this season. While Louis Van Gaal eased the pressure on himself by overseeing a 2-1 victory over Swansea City on Saturday, Manchester United are still to convince as an attacking unit.
Anthony Martial seems the lone bright spot in the team at the moment, and maybe another young, quick and creative forward is what Manchester United need to reignite their campaign and regain that top-four spot, at the very least.
