Manchester United are willing to pay a £1.4 million sum to terminate the contract of Old Trafford flop Anderson early, according to the latest reports.
The Brazilian, who arrived from Porto back in 2007, cost the Red Devils a hefty £27 million, but has struggled to live up to his extensive price tag. Anderson, 26, has six-months remaining on his £60,000-a-week contract, but it is suggested officials at the Premier League club are willing to cancel the deal, should they fail to sell him in the January transfer window.
United failed to receive a single offer when the samba star was listed in the summer transfer window, who was once regarded as one of football’s hottest prospects, sprouting with the Portuguese club before making the move to Manchester.
Despite a recent midfield crisis at the club, Anderson has repeatedly struggled to break into the team, and has been often been regarded as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s worst signings during his 26-year spell with the three time Champions League winners.
A permanent move for Anderson looked likely, but after a loan spell in Serie A with Fiorentina, the club rejected the possibility of signing him permanently.
Under the reign of Ferguson, the club previously cancelled the final two years of goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, which was believed to cost the club a staggering £5 million, and with a lack of Capital One Cup fixtures and no European football on offer this season, Anderson will struggle to gain playing time in the Premier League.
Having made 8 appearances for the Brazilian national team, Anderson has made just two appearances under Louis Van Gaal. Featuring in the 4-0 embarrassment to Sky Bet League One side MK Dons in the Capital One Cup, he also made a cameo twenty-minute appearance off the bench four days later in a dull 0-0 draw with Burnley.
Should Manchester United wish to cancel the contract of the former Gremio midfielder, a termination fee is believed to be in the region of £1.4 million, but would be negotiated with the four-time Premier League winner.
Anderson has also clinched a Champions League winner’s medal, two League Cup winners’ medals, two Community Shield winners medal, and lifted the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.