Former West Ham United forward Frank McAvennie has urged David Moyes to cash-in on the rumoured transfer interest from clubs like SSC Napoli in Felipe Anderson.
Anderson has emerged as a potential casualty of Moyes’ clear out this summer, with multiple reports suggesting the Irons boss will sacrifice the 27-year-old to raise funds so that he can put his stamp on a side heavily built by Manuel Pellegrini.
Andriy Yarmolenko, Albian Ajeti and Anderson were signed for a combined £65.5million during the Chilean’s tenure at the London Stadium but have struggled to demonstrate why those fees were justified since Pellegrini’s sacking.
McAvennie would certainly not stand in Moyes’ way if he does decide Anderson has no future in east London two years after joining his former side, as the ex-Irons attacker strongly believes that while the Brazilian is a gifted individual, he fails to turn potential into eye-catching displays on the pitch.
“Anderson is such a gifted player but I wouldn’t have him,” McAvennie told Football Insider.
“He is not doing the team any good. A wonderful talent but as I have said before, I have never seen him go in for a tackle, let alone win one.
“Lanzini is similarly gifted so I would try and offload Anderson and anyone that is in and out of the team.
“We need to give David money to spend and that could be a way to do it.”
Does Anderson have a future with West Ham?
Yes
No
Anderson managed just one goal and four assists in the 2019/20 Premier League season, having started 20 of his 25 appearances and playing more minutes than January star arrival Tomas Soucek who struck home three times in 13 outings.
Should West Ham now look to cash-in on their former record signing, Napoli may come to their rescue following reports in Italy the Serie A side are eying the Brazilian as a potential replacement for Jose Callejon.
But Anderson is just one of several options for the San Paolo natives and there is an expectancy in Italy that the winger could prove too expensive for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
West Ham’s valuation thus could force Moyes into keeping Anderson and working with the Brazilian – against McAvennie’s wishes – in the hopes of seeing him return to his best form, whether that is possible for the Scottish head coach or not.
