New reports claim West Ham United want to cut short forgotten star Felipe Anderson’s loan at Porto.
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Anderson has endured a nightmare in Portugal since being shipped out on a season-long loan in October.
The Brazilian winger joined the Hammers from Lazio in the summer of 2018 for a then club record of around £41.5 million (BBC).
The 27-year-old enjoyed a superb first season at the London Stadium scoring 10 goals and providing a similar number of assists across all competitions.
The rise and fall of Felipe Anderson at West Ham
But his form nosedived last term as the infamous second season syndrome struck.
Anderson was loaned out to Porto in the hope that he would rediscover his best form.
Unfortunately for the South American, though, he has endured a torrid time, making just three appearances – two as a substitute.
Now new reports claim West Ham are looking to cut Anderson’s loan short (The Guardian).
The reports suggest West Ham would look to find a new loan club for Anderson should they be successful in cutting the loan short.
Hammers looking to cut Anderson’s loan short
But after recent comments from Hammers boss David Moyes, could Anderson get a second chance in east London as the Scot’s latest convert?
Moyes has been without Michail Antonio for much of the season due to his troublesome hamstrings. And Sebastien Haller’s struggles continue.
Speaking recently Moyes admitted he must find his new Marko Arnautovic or Antonio (Evening Standard).
The inference was that he must find a winger within his squad that can be converted into a forward.
Could Anderson be that man if West Ham are able to end his loan spell at Porto?
According to various reports the idea of Anderson’s loan was to boost his value ahead of an intended summer sale.
But many fans argue that would be achieved if he returned to the Hammers squad this month for the remainder of the season.
Moyes has told FourFourTwo that money is tight for new signings this month.
Given Moyes’s recent comments about finding his new Arnautovic or Antonio, Anderson could flourish as a speedy forward in a much stronger and more competitive West Ham side.
West Ham lack pace up front if Antonio doesn’t play.
Anderson was used as a second striker during his time at Lazio, with great success.
Could pacy Brazilian become Moyes’s latest convert and save Hammers millions with second chance?
There would be less responsibility on the Brazilian to track back and defend like there is when he plays on the wing.
And his pace could be deadly in West Ham’s counter attacking style.
Anderson may return from his spell somewhat humbled and hungry to make things work at West Ham.
Indeed after leaving West Ham three months ago, Anderson told talkSPORT he fully intends to return to the club and prove himself at the end of his loan spell.
If things work out it might boost his value ahead of a summer sale. If not then it is a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Whether Moyes can work his magic again remains to be seen. But he has turned two inconsistent but fast wide players into excellent strikers at West Ham in recent years.
Anderson could make it a hat-trick for the manager while saving the club money in the transfer market.
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