Manchester United Transfer News: Felipe Anderson and John Stones Rumours Emerge

Manchester United are readying a £30 million bid for Lazio attacking midfielder Felipe Anderson, according to the Sun (h/t Hamish Mackay of the Mirror).

However, Anderson has made it clear he expects to remain in Rome next season, having posted a fantastic year with the Serie A club. The 22-year-old's comments were reported by Sam Lee of Goal:

"Next year? All I know is I'll be playing for Lazio. I only recently renewed my contract for another five years. I'm thinking about the biancoceleste shirt and nothing else. I don't know of any offers, my future is at Lazio."

Paolo Giovannini/Associated Press

Anderson had an immensely productive 2014-15 campaign, scoring 10 and assisting 7 in 23 starts and nine substitute appearances, per WhoScored.com. He averaged a telling contribution every 123 minutes—in other words, at least once within every two matches. Lazio supporters have been treated to memorable showings from a skilful, confident and continually probing star.

United boss Louis van Gaal continues to be linked with a move for another Brazilian: Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino. TalkSPORT reports a fee has been agreed, and if that is true, then it's unlikely Anderson will head to Old Trafford alongside him.

Firmino is a more well-rounded player, someone who can contribute from the halfway line or anywhere in the opposition's half. He scored seven goals and assisted 10 in 33 Bundesliga starts last season, but he also averaged 2.7 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, recorded by WhoScored.

He is far more than a creative midfielder and is someone who is likely to explode into the consciousness of casual fans as the current Copa America tournament progresses. B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes Firmino could be an excellent signing for United:

United Readying Stones Bid?

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Craig Hope of the Mail on Sunday suggests Van Gaal's need for defensive reinforcements will see him turn toward Everton's John Stones. He reports the manager is "lining up a summer move" for the ball-playing Englishman, who established himself alongside Phil Jagielka at the heart of the Toffees defence during the 2014-15 campaign.

Stones scored against United in April and is fast developing into a top-quality defender. His assurance on the ball is likely attractive to Van Gaal, who often tries to get his defence to play out from the back. This is something Chris Smalling has put into motion over the last couple of months for both United and England, opening his game up somewhat.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It's unlikely Everton would let Stones leave at this point, having released fellow defenders Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz, reported by the Premier League. Manager Roberto Martinez needs to find younger alternatives during the summer, but it would be a huge step backward if he let Stones leave before he's significantly contributed to the club. Cash could speak volumes, though.

B/R UK's Andy Brassell recently looked at the players United could sell to make room for such reinforcements:

It seems Van Gaal is destined to land an exciting Brazilian midfielder one or way another. Both Firmino and Anderson have the talent to make a major impact at the Theatre of Dreams.

Stones would also be an excellent signing and could finally end Phil Jones' hopes of becoming a leader at United. Van Gaal should be searching for a combination of experience and exciting youth, with Stones falling into the latter category.