Noa Lang hopes to leave Club Brugge in the summer amid interest from Premier League trio Aston Villa, Everton and Leeds United, his father-in-law tells Het Laaste Nieuws.
If you want the smooth, well then you’ll have to accept your fair share of rough.
Lang, when fit and focused, is an attacker capable of giving each and every defender nightmares. A prolific chance creator who’s dazzling footwork and vision has earned comparisons with Neymar, Robin van Persie, Zinedine Zidane and more.
The divisive Dutchman has frequently made headlines for the wrong reasons, however; his incensed reaction to the 2-2 derby draw with Cercle Brugge bringing to mind exactly what Erik ten Hag lost patience with the winger at Ajax (Daily Mail).
Then again, there is nothing inherently wrong with demanding the very best from yourself and your team-mates. You would have found plenty of Club Brugge supporters agreeing with Lang’s assessment as the miserable Scott Parker era continued, conceding a 78th minute equaliser on Sunday afternoon while slipping 20 points behind league leaders Genk.
Leeds United, Aston Villa and Everton like Noa Lang
The feeling is that, after two league titles, two Belgian cups and the 2021 Young Player of the Year award, Lang is outgrowing a relatively small pond.
“Noa has a transfer in mind, yes. He wants to take a step forward,” Boukhari explains. “And that has to happen this summer. If he continues at this level, it will definitely come to fruition.”
According to Voetbal Belgie, goal-shy Everton are interested. As are an Aston Villa side who missed out a number of wingers during the January transfer window; Unai Emery setting his sights on a new wideman.
Leeds, meanwhile, are long-time admirers of the £25 million-rated Lang. The player himself admitted that Leeds made ‘three offers’ for him during January 2022. Then-coach Marcelo Bielsa to vetoed the deal, much to the frustration of many in West Yorkshire (The Athletic).
But Bielsa, as you might have noticed, is no longer in situ at Elland Road.
“When you see his qualities, it is unbelievable,” says former Ajax coach Richard Witschge. “I think he’s a bit of a Zidane. This guy is so athletic, fast and technical too. He basically has everything Zidane had.
“I hope he is just as strong in his mind as Zidane, who was always focused on football.”
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