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Aston Villa in hot pursuit of ex-West Ham star Felipe Anderson amid Lazio contract update - Sky Sports

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Published on:

05 Jan 2024, 1:40 am

Aston Villa are interested in signing Lazio winger Felipe Anderson on a free transfer in the summer, according to Sky Sports News reporter Lyall Thomas.

The former West Ham ace, 30, is out of contract in June meanin he is allowed to negotiate with clubs outside of Italy about signing a pre-contract agreement.

However, the Sky report adds that Serie A heavyweights Juventus are also monitoring the situation as are a number of clubs around Europe.

Since returning to Lazio in 2021, Anderson has netted 20 goals and provided 23 assists in 123 games.

Better options surely

First things first let me make one thing perfectly clear, Unai Emery has absolutely earned the right to sign and work with any player he sees fit having guided Aston Villa to an unlikely Premier League challenge this season.

Having said that, you get the sense that this link is a little 'meh'. Villa have some really exciting attacking players in the likes of Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby and you feel like the club should be looking at a younger profile than Felipe Anderson.

The Brazilian managed 12 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions for the Hammers, really going off the boil after a promising first season and you wonder whether at his age he would be a good addition.

On the flip side, he does have the potential to be a reasonable squad addition, particularly if Villa do make the Champions League next season, but even then you sense that younger, hungrier talent would be the way to go.

In other Aston Villa news, a former club employed is delighted with contract news coming out at Villa Park.

Aston Villa

Felipe Anderson