Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse have confirmed that Branco Van den Boomen will be leaving on a free transfer with Premier League duo Leeds United and Aston Villa keen on the talented playmaker.
Alexa, define ‘late-bloomer’.
At the age of 27, this is Branco Van den Boomen’s first season of top-flight football since an eight-game loan spell in the Eredivisie with Willem II back in 2016/17. He represented FC Eindhoven and De Graafschap before spending two years in the French second-tier with Toulouse.
So you’d have got very long odds indeed on Van den Boomen ranking alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Bruno Fernandes, Vinicius Jr, Martin Odegaard and Kevin de Bruyne in the ‘chance creation’ stakes this term.
Only PSG superstar Messi creates more goalscoring opportunities in Ligue 1. Van den Boomen has 13 assists and six goals of his own; his pinpoint set-piece delivery likely to make the uncapped Dutchman one of the most hotly-contested free-agents on the market this summer.
Leeds and Aston Villa like free-agent Branco Van den Boomen
According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa and Leeds United are just two of his many admirers. It is no stretch to suggest that an upwardly-mobile Aston Villa side probably carry more appeal these days, especially with Leeds now just 90 minutes away from falling into the Championship’s stinking maw.
And while Toulouse were never likely to give up without a fight, Les Violets have finally accepted defeat in their hopes of tying Van den Boomen down to a new deal.
“The club confirms the departures of four of its Violets,” reads an official statement on Twitter.
“Brecht (Dejaegere), Branco, Max (Dupe), Stijn (Spierings), you have become legends of Toulouse. A tribute, worthy of what you have accomplished, will be paid to you tomorrow evening.
“Supporters, be present.”
Van den Boomen’s desire to pursue a fresh start should come as no real surprise. With his 28th birthday approaching, and with his reputation at it’s highest peak ever, Van den Boomen may never get another chance to seal a move to a major club in a major league.
“I just give the ball to Branco. He has an amazing right foot,” Toulouse team-mate Spierings tells the Ligue 1 website. “And he has the vision. You see the qualities he has. He’s really good and yes, when I need to give the ball to somebody in the team, I will give the ball to Branco.”
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