West Ham United have seen an opening £33m bid to Lazio for Felipe Anderson rejected, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, via the Express.

What's the latest, then?

The report claims that West Ham have finally tabled an offer to the Italian giants for the playmaker but it has been turned down as it falls £10m short of Lazio's valuation of £43m for the player.

That would smash the Hammers' transfer record - set when they bought Marko Arnautovic last summer from Stoke - and the report says that part of the reason Lazio want so much is because 25 per cent of any transfer fee is owed to Brazilian outfit Santos.

The report also goes on to say that Lazio are prepared to play hardball because of the financial implications of their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Anderson would elevate Pellegrini's West Ham revolution

There is no doubt that, for as long as Lazio are prepared to be obstinate over the transfer fee for Anderson, securing his services will be expensive business and represents a risk for a player who has never performed in the Premier League.

However, West Ham need a new darling - something that has been lacking slightly since Dimitri Payet left - and someone to get the fans excited ahead of a new season, and something of a new, attacking era under Manuel Pellegrini.

Anderson could be that man, linking up with Manuel Lanzini in a 4-2-2-2 formation to add some stardust as the former Manchester City manager embraces the attacking football the fans love.

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