Felipe Anderson announced late Monday night that he will be leaving Lazio this summer and returning to his home country to sign with Palmeiras. The 31-year-old's decision comes despite recent reports of Juventus' strong interest in securing his services.
Juventus had reportedly made a three-year contract proposal to Anderson, with the expectation that he would join the Turin-based club on a free transfer. However, Anderson prioritised being closer to his family in South America and ultimately chose to sign with Palmeiras until 31 December 2027.
🚨🟢🇧🇷 Felipe Anderson has signed in as new Palmeiras player on free transfer from Lazio, after deciding against signing new contract.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 15, 2024
Felipe received Juventus proposal for three year contract last week but he decided for shock return to Palmeiras for family reasons. pic.twitter.com/gPk9UCTmAr
The news is a significant blow to Juventus, who had been actively pursuing Anderson as part of their summer transfer plans. The Italian giants had sent their contract proposal to Anderson last week but decided not to push forward with finalising the deal, as they have other priorities to sort out first, including determining their coach for next season.
Anderson's choice to spurn Juventus' interest is particularly unexpected given the club's stature in European football and their recent efforts to strengthen their squad. The winger's experience and proven track record in Serie A would have made him a valuable addition to Juventus' roster, as they look to compete for domestic and European titles in the coming seasons.
Lazio's new coach, Igor Tudor, had been reportedly pushing the club to reach an agreement on a new contract with Anderson, as negotiations between the player and the club had been dragging on for months without success.
Anderson, who is currently in his second spell at Lazio, has made a total of 319 appearances for the club, scoring 58 goals and providing 63 assists.
As Juventus comes to terms with missing out on Anderson's signature, they will now need to reevaluate their transfer strategies and identify alternative targets to strengthen their squad.
The club's hierarchy will be keen to ensure that they make the necessary additions to remain competitive in the face of challenges from their Serie A rivals and European competitors.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras will be thrilled to have secured the services of a player of Anderson's calibre, as they look to bolster their own ambitions in Brazilian football. The winger's return to his homeland will undoubtedly be welcomed by fans and teammates alike, as he brings with him a wealth of experience and proven quality from his time in Europe.
Anderson's decision to leave Lazio and join Palmeiras is a reminder that, while the allure of playing for a top European club like Juventus is strong, family and personal considerations can often play a significant role in a player's career choices.
As the summer transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see how Juventus adapts to this setback and which players they target to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.