Are West Ham focusing on the wrong transfer target?
The Mirror write that West Ham have been told to pay £35 million by Lazio for Felipe Anderson.
It is a high fee to pay, especially when a potentially better alternative is available closer to home.
He is a player the Hammers should be setting their sights on as one of the brightest prospects in English football outside the Premier League.
West Ham have had success targeting players in the Championship in recent years, with Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio becoming first team regulars.
Maddison scored 14 goals last season for a poor Norwich side, also providing eight assists.
At just 21-years-old, the £20 million fee could be a snip for an attacking midfielder who has also been linked to both Liverpool and Tottenham. West Ham have too been loosely linked, but have made no offers.
Felipe Anderson is not only more expensive, but he is just as much of a gamble.
The 25-year-old attacker has only reached double figures for goals once in his career, scoring just four times last season for Lazio.
He is untested in English football, unlike Maddison who is used to the demands of what’s required, albeit at a lower level.
Maddison is cheaper, but could end up being worth far more than the money Lazio are demanding for Felipe Anderson.
The problem is, West Ham are at risk of leaving it too late to switch their attentions.
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