Everton boss Ronald Koeman reportedly views the 22-year-old as a potential replacement for one of the current Toffees stars.
Leander Dendoncker
A report in The Sun has suggested that Everton boss Ronald Koeman sent scouts to run their eye over long-time target Leander Dendoncker as he played in Anderlecht’s clash with Zulte Waregem at the weekend.
According to The Sun, the 22-year-old has been on the Toffees’ radar for much of the campaign, and Koeman has earmarked the midfielder as a potential replacement for Gareth Barry.
Dendoncker is reportedly open to making a move to Goodison Park, but The Sun adds that he is likely to cost around £12 million with his contract with the Belgian heavyweights set to run until 2020.
Given the Belgium international’s potential and experience – he has made nearly 100 league appearances already and was an ever-present during the side’s Europa League campaign earlier in the season – the eight-figure fee would arguably seem to be something of a bargain if the Toffees were able to get a deal done.
Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan in action with Anderlecht’s Leander Dendoncker
It was the youngster who scored Anderlecht’s equaliser in the home leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Manchester United, and Koeman appears to be fairly confident that he could potentially make an impact if Everton decided to make a move.
And while his lack of Premier League experience would inevitably make a deal a gamble, it appears that Dendoncker is showing more and more often that he has the potential to thrive as part of the Toffees side.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
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