Former Leicester City midfielder Dennis Praet has turned down a move to Burnley with Premier League trio Fulham, Ipswich Town and Wolves also having considered the Belgium international.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
There are a number of high-profile players still on the lookout for a new club having left their old employers at the start of July.
Adrien Rabiot is still without employment three months after his contract at Juventus ran out. The same can be said of Memphis Depay, Andre Gomes, Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial, while HITC understands that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and co have been offered the chance to sign former Lille ace Yusuf Yazici.
Dennis Praet, however, is closing in on his own return to club football.
Leicester City paid £18 million to sign the versatile midfielder back in 2019. Praet left the King Power Stadium five years on in the aftermath of their Championship-winning campaign under Enzo Maresca, with a number of English-based clubs taking note of his availability.
Burnley and Wolves looked into Dennis Praet deal
HITC can confirm that Burnley held talks.
Looking to bounce back from last season’s relegation, Scott Parker’s Clarets were in the market for a midfielder with Sander Berge heading to Fulham. Hannibal Mejbri would eventually arrive from Man United.
HITC have been told that Premier League trio Fulham, Wolves and Ipswich also showed an interest in Praet.
The 15-time Belgium international is expected to head back home instead, however, with the most successful club in the Jupiler League offering him a fresh start.
Anderlecht recently ruled out a move for Man United benchwarmer Christian Eriksen, with the Dane’s wages simply too expensive. Praet, though, is far more affordable.
DH Net reported on Thursday that the one-time Sampdoria and Torino man has undergone medical tests as he closes in on a return to the club where he started his career.
Praet spent six years at Anderlecht – 34-time champions of the Belgian top flight – before embarking on spells in Italy and England.
“I’m at the end of my contract and ready for something new,” Praet told Het Nieuwsblad at the start of the summer. “I am now 29 (he turned 30 a few weeks later) and physically at the peak of my career.
“I definitely want to become important somewhere again, so that I can find the fun in the game again.”
Fulham and Ipswich also considered ex-Leicester City ace
Praet may have wanted ‘something new’, but a second spell at Anderlecht will see his career come full circle.
“The focus now is on finding the right club,” Praet added. “I am realistic enough to realise that a top-four team from a top league will not suddenly come and get me. But if I end up at a nice mid-range club where I can become a key player, that’s also good.
“And if it is in a location where it is fun for my family to stay, then that is a bonus.”
Wolves, despite their well-publicised financial issues, managed to strike a £21 million deal for former Fulham and Liverpool target Andre Trindade.
The Cottagers, meanwhile, reinforced their own midfield with the arrival of the aforementioned Berge.
Ipswich – another of Praet’s admirers – landed Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste on loan from Manchester City and Napoli. Two players who, if they can rediscover the form that earned them moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs, could prove to be real difference-makers at Portman Road.
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