Anderlecht Chief Admits Leander Dendoncker Could Join A Bigger Club This Summer
Reuters / Andrew Couldridge
Manchester United appear set to land highly-rated midfielder Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht, after club sporting director all but indirectly confirmed the move.
It was initially believed that Jose Mourinho considered Anderlecht’s Dendoncker as a back-up target in case the Nemanja Matic transfer doesn’t come through. However, having signed the Serbian midfielder, the Manchester United boss remains keen to add yet another midfielder to the squad, in the form of the 22-year-old.
As reported earlier, Manchester United had sent officials to watch the Belgian in a match against Antwerp. It looks like the scouting team has given a positive feedback to the hierarchy at Old Trafford, as a move is now expected to be finalized much sooner than previously thought.
Anderlecht’s chief Herman Van Holsbeeck looked powerless in his latest interview, as he claimed that his club might be forced to sell their star player.
“We want to cherish him, but if a club is willing to pay between €25m and €35m, we have a problem. Against Man United [in the Europa League], he has shown twice that he has the potential to play at a top European club,” said Van Holsbeeck.
Notably, Dendoncker caught the eye of Jose Mourinho in Manchester United’s Europa League fixture against Anderlecht last season, where the midfielder put on a show and also scored at Old Trafford. The 6 feet 2 inch tall Belgian is a complete player who puts the shift in, also also fulfills his playmaking duties.
Aware of the interest in his services, Dendoncker also indicated that he would be willing to move to a big club like Manchester United.
The midfielder was quoted as saying: “If he [van Holsbeeck] wants to paste a price on my head, I can not change that much. I understand he wants me to stay and I understand the fans want me to stay. But it’s about my career. I have to make a decision that is best for his career.”
Written by Shorya Panwar 
Has 20+ years of experience managing Schalke in Football Manager 2017. Believes wing-backs are the most complete footballers in the modern/evolved football. Writes weird stuff on his personal blog.