Manchester United Transfer News: Felipe Anderson, Mario Gotze, Top Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly willing to spend up to £39 million to bring Lazio Roma winger Felipe Anderson to the club, while the latest rumours say Bayern Munich are willing to cash in on Mario Gotze this summer.

According to Football Insider's Gianluigi Carrozzini, United and Anderson's representatives have held fresh talks regarding a summer move after a transfer fell through during the winter window.

Back then, the Red Devils were unwilling to pay more than £30 million up front, while Lazio held out for the full £39 million sum in one installment. United have continued scouting the 22-year-old, however, and are now apparently willing to increase their offer.

The news comes at an odd time, as Anderson is suffering through a poor season in Italy. He's failed to hit the heights of the last campaign, and the Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon doesn't understand why he's being linked with such big-money moves:

Anderson joined Lazio in 2013 and needed some time finding his bearings before breaking out in a big way during the 2014-15 season. He emerged as one of Serie A's top attacking midfielders, displaying incredible raw speed and a fantastic eye for goal.

The Guardian's Paolo Bandini thought he gained a lot of weight during his first year in Italy, and once he settled into life on the peninsula, he was ready to make good on his potential.

But that was last year. This year, Anderson has struggled replicating his attacking form, and Lazio have failed to play a major role in the Italian title race as a result. The Brazil international has been benched on several occasions, and at this point in time, he's not even a regular starter anymore.

It's important to note Anderson is still just 22 years old, and Lazio's valuation has as much to do with his long-term potential as his current performances. When he's at his best, he remains a phenomenal player, as you can see in the video below:

But £39 million is a lot of money to spend on a player who hasn't been nearly as good as he was last year. United may be short on prolific attacking options, but Anderson is every bit as inconsistent as winger Memphis Depay, a similar player as far as playing style goes.

Anderson wouldn't be a bad investment, given his tremendous potential, but it would be a very risky move to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford after such a mediocre season.

Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

Meanwhile, German outlet TZ (h/t Daily Star's Marc Williams) claimed Bayern Munich are working on new contracts for their top stars, but Gotze will not be included, as the club is willing to cash in on the 2014 FIFA World Cup hero.

Per the report, Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in the 23-year-old, who has failed to live up to the massive expectations after moving from Borussia Dortmund to their main rivals.

Here's a look at some of Gotze's greatest hits:

Per Sport Witness' Tom Coast, Gotze's current deal expires in 2017, so if he isn't offered a new contract, he will likely be sold this summer. The Star report values Gotze at £31 million, but that valuation is likely to change during the summer. If Gotze plays well during UEFA Euro 2016, the price will go up―as will the likelihood of a move.

The former Dortmund star does his best work in a central role, playing as a traditional attacking midfielder, although he can also split out wide if he has to. He lacks the raw pace to be an everyday winger, but his dribbling can negate that issue.

Per WhoScored.com, Gotze has barely started for Bayern this season, so if a club makes a solid offer for the Germany international, one has to assume the Bavarians will sell. Things just haven't worked out for Gotze with his current club, and a change of scenery might help him unlock his full potential.

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