Returning star could save West Ham millions on Lingard

There’s no doubt that West Ham wants to sign Jesse Lingard permanently. With the return of this star from a loan, he could help ensure funds are spent well.

July 15th, 2018, was when West Ham United signed Felipe Anderson for a reported transfer fee of £36 million. At the time, that was a record transfer fee, and the West Ham world was buzzing with excitement. However, ten goals, eight assists, and three seasons later, and that same world is left with unanswered questions.

Felipe’s career in East London so far has matched the ebbs and flows of his club; sometimes hot, sometimes not. David Moyes attempted to rejuvenate his career this season by sending him out on loan. But, unfortunately, his spell at FC Porto was as stagnant as his time at the LS, playing five times and never scoring a goal. As a result, WhoScored.com gave the Brazilian a 6.28 rating for the 2020/21 campaign.

The 28-year-old has been rumored to be nearing an exit, with several suitors with ties to European competitions, but who’s to say he wouldn’t be a good fit right back with West Ham? What the Hammers need right now is depth and at a good price. Felipe Anderson is at the perfect price or free (besides his weekly wages).

Felipe Anderson can fit right in with this current West Ham side

Sometimes in life, the best way to get back to yourself is to get humbled, get knocked down again, and keep on learning. It’s clear that’s happened during his disappointing loan spell and even from his previous two seasons at the club. He no longer has to be the starter, and there are absolutely no more high expectations.

It’s fair to say that from when he left the Hammers until now, he may not even be the second-best at his position anymore. Both Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma have played well off each other and rotated nicely with Jesse Lingard from time to time. With the overabundance of matches coming this summer, Felipe Anderson would be the perfect addition to a side needing help.

The last time we saw Anderson on the pitch for West Ham, he was one of, if not the only, playmaker out there. Since then, Jarrod Bowen has bloomed, and the aforementioned others have started to gel and really make that attacking midfield a force to be seen. With a little motivation and drive, he can be right back to where he was in 2018 and feeding the West Ham attack.

Obviously, reading this, you have to come to the thoughts that the Hammers still need to sign Jesse Lingard for them to both share the same pitch, and you’re right. Lingard is a top priority for Moyes this summer, and keeping Felipe Anderson around will save up the budget instead of going out and signing a new left winger for depth.

A report came out a few weeks back stating the Anderson could leave on a free or super cheap just to get his high wages off the books. That’s a fair assessment, but keeping the Brazilian seems to be the far better shout. West Ham only has his contract for one more season; why not give him a go and allow more money to be saved up for the likes of Lingard and others to beef up the side?