Zulte Waregem winger Jean-Luc Dompe has admitted he was denied the chance to join an English club in the summer transfer window despite Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Burnley expressing an interest, speaking to Krant van West-Vlaanderen.
One thing’s for sure, Zulte Waregem coach Francky Dury will have been thrilled to see his star man stick around for one more season.
Because, with ten assists in just 12 Jupiler League games this season, Dompe has picked up where he left off last term, keeping heads above water as relegation fears grow.
But, given how impressively Dompe has performed in recent weeks, few at Zulte Waregem will be looking forward to the January transfer window.
According to RMC Sport, Premier League pair Newcastle and Burnley both expressed interest in the former France U20 international in the summer. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, saw a £1.7 million bid turned down.
“In the summer there were offers,” explains Dompe, who joined his current employers following a spell at KAA Gent last year. “But the club were counting on me for this season and wouldn’t let me go.”
Will Newcastle or Burnley bid for Jean-Luc Dompe in January?
Given Middlesbrough have found goals hard to come by this season – just 19 in 17 matches before the departure of Neil Warnock and subsequent appointment of Chris Wilder – a player with Dompe’s defence-splitting, match-winning potential would be welcomed with open arms at the Riverside.
Boro also missed out on another exciting wideman in the shape of former Eredivisie ace Mitchell van Bergen.
North east neighbours Newcastle United have hardly set the world alight during a winless start to the Premier League season either. However, it’s believed new manager Eddie Howe is prioritising a commanding central defender and powerful midfield enforcer rather than a winger like 26-year-old Dompe.
Two of Howe’s former Bournemouth stars – Lloyd Kelly and Nathan Ake – have already been linked with a mid-season switch to St James’ Park.
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