Oostende are planning for Jack Hendry to stay for at least another year in Belgium, despite reports linking the Celtic-owned defender with Wolves, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, as reported by the Daily Record.
While the Scotland international is expected to join his Jupiler League employers on a permanent deal in the coming days, it was assumed that he wouldn’t be sticking around for long.
90Min reported that Oostende were planning to take up the option-to-buy clause in Hendry’s contract before selling him on for an immediate profit.
The Belgian-based club were confident of bringing in around £10 million for the former Dundee defender with Wolves, Aston Villa, Newcastle, West Ham, Crystal Palace and more queuing up.
But according to the club’s executive president, Gauthier Ganaye, Oostende want Hendry to stay at the Versluys Arena for the long haul instead.
“It is no secret that it is a loan with an option (to buy). We have the option to make it permanent before the summer. I am very hopeful that will happen,” Ganaye told the Record.
“We are very happy with Jack and he is one of the reasons why the team has been doing so well this season.
“We have ambitions between now and the summer and then we want to strengthen again for next season and we want Jack to remain a big part of things.”
Sitting fourth in the table, there is still a chance that Oostende will be playing Champions League football in 2020/21.
And while De Kustboys could not claim to be equals with Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa and co in size or stature, Hendry may have to stick around for another year if he wants to prove himself at the very top level.
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