Manchester United Transfer News: Felipe Anderson Confirms Offer, Latest Rumours

Felipe Anderson has confirmed Manchester United made an offer to sign him last summer, but Lazio rebuffed their advances.

The Brazilian told Dassler Marques of UOL.com (h/t Sam Morshead of MailOnline):

"

Whenever we're approaching the transfer market there's a lot of talk about my future. For two years my name has been linked with several European clubs. I continue to work and think only of Lazio, otherwise I just risk being distracted.

My goal is to do well with Lazio and the Brazil Olympic team, I'm not thinking about anything else. I want to finish the season well, and I want to show my potential so I can be called up.

Manchester United? An offer came in last year, Lazio have confirmed that's the case too. They preferred to keep me, though, to have a great season.

Unfortunately we were unable to repeat our achievements of last year, but we're continuing to work hard, we'll see what the future holds.

"

Per Squawka News, the Eagles revealed the bid in January:

With United lacking a spark of inspiration in the final third, they're likely to delve into the market for attacking reinforcements this summer and could renew their pursuit of the 22-year-old.

As the video below demonstrates, Anderson is capable of producing incredible moments of genius on the pitch:

Anderson has only mustered eight goals and five assists in 40 appearances this season, though, showing he hasn't been able to produce match-winning moments or performances on a consistent basis.

His form on the whole has been much less impressive than his outstanding 2014/15 campaign, in which he recorded 11 goals and assisted 10 in three fewer outings.

Sports writer Jonas Giaever believes Anderson is reminiscent of the talented but frustrating former United winger Nani:

Further, football journalist Rafael Hernandez does not believe he has shown he could perform at an elite level:

If he could add consistency to his game, he could bring back the dazzle and excitement Old Trafford has lacked in recent years. But if he failed to do so, he'd only add to the sense of frustration pervading the club.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

United are also targeting Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to Liam Corless of the Mirror. 

He has handed the Red Devils a ray of hope by suggesting that while he's content at the Santiago Bernabeu, he would also like more game time and has not made a long-term plan to stay. He told French outlet L'Equipe (h/t Corless):

"

I would like to play every game. The coach knows what I want, but it’s up to him to make the decisions.

I’ve spent five years playing with the best and I’ve never lost heart. without strength of character it’s impossible to stay at Real Madrid.

It’s pointless making long-term plans in football. I’m happy in Madrid. I want to keep improving to go to the next level. We’ll see how my situation develops, but I’m not having any headaches over it anyway.

"

The 22-year-old has started 24 of his 27 appearances in all competitions this season but was recently left on the bench for Los Blancos' wins over Celta Vigo and Las Palmas.

Per Squawka's Alex Keble, the Frenchman was recently named by the stats website as the second-best player in the world under the age of 23 thanks to his "speed, intelligence and composure" at the back. 

Further, in 21 Primera Division appearances this season, Squawka showed the defender has won 22 tackles and 41 aerial duels, as well as making 104 clearances, 37 interceptions and 15 blocks.

Varane is destined to become one of the world's best centre-backs, so he'd naturally be an excellent signing for any side.

For a United team that has not replaced Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand since their departures in 2014, a defender such as Varane is a must-buy.