Leander Dendoncker urged to wait for Tottenham move, instead of joining West Ham

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West Ham United have been heavily linked with Leander Dendoncker in 2018.

Former Newcastle United defender Philippe Albert has told Het Nieuwsblad that he thinks Anderlecht’s Leander Dendoncker should wait for a move to Tottenham Hotspur rather than joining West Ham United.

Dendoncker, 22, has come up through the ranks with Anderlecht following a 2009 move from Roeselare, and is the latest star to come through the Anderlecht youth setup.

The likes of Vincent Kompany, Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku are just some of the players to flourish having started out with Anderlecht, and Dendoncker is on his way to doing the same.

A physical holding midfielder who can also play at centre back, Dendoncker has already racked up more than 150 appearances for Anderlecht, and also has four caps for Belgium.

Dendoncker’s performances for club and country haven’t gone unnoticed, and the midfielder was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League with West Ham United in January.

That deal didn’t materialise, but many expect him to move on this summer, with English clubs no doubt tracking his progress in Belgium ahead of the transfer window.

Now, ex-Newcastle ace Philippe Albert has offered his view on Dendoncker’s future, telling Het Nieuwsblad that he should wait a couple of years and develop before joining Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur, rather than rushing into a move to Everton or West Ham.

“In a few years, he’ll be a great defender. He isn’t yet,” said Albert. “He’s paid well by Anderlecht, and he shouldn’t just go to England to end up at Everton or West Ham. That would only improve him financially. Let Dendoncker stay two or three years more and he can go to a real top club like Tottenham or even Manchester United at the age of 25,” he added.

Tottenham do already have Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama, meaning a deal for Dendoncker would be a surprise unless one of those two players leave, whilst it’s unclear whether Manchester United would be keen given the emergence of Scott McTominay.