West Ham United attacker Felipe Anderson could emerge as a surprise transfer target for Real Madrid this summer, should they fail in their attempt to sign Eden Hazard, a report from Sky Sports claims.
The Brazil international became the Hammers’ record signing from Lazio last summer after his £33.5m arrival, and he has since evolved into an ever-present figure for Manuel Pellegrini’s side in the Premier League.
According to Sky Sports, Los Blancos are currently looking to bolster their attack for the summer and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has been earmarked as their prime target to fulfil the requirement.
Still, their pursuit could be hampered by the Blues’ reluctance to sell due to their transfer ban, and Sky Sports reckon that Anderson is the alternative choice, who could be targeted in a deal worth £65m.
Anderson has notched eight goals and four assists for the Hammers during his debut league campaign, but he has witnessed a dip in the second half of the season where he has failed to find the scoresheet.
This, however, does not reduce the importance of the attacker in the club’s ranks, and the east London outfit should decline any bids from Los Blancos, if they have the ambition to progress in the league.
West Ham are currently ninth in the Premier League table with 42 points but their focus should lie on pushing for the seventh spot, which could offer them a crack for the Europa League playoffs.
At present, only the teams in fifth and sixth are certain to make the Europa League cut, but there could be an additional spot up for grabs, should Manchester City go on to win the FA Cup, which they are favourites to do.
