Everton have been tipped to spend big on Anderlecht powerhouse Leander Dendoncker, who could be worth every penny of his £18m fee.
It appears increasingly likely that Leander Dendoncker will follow Youri Tielemans out of the Anderlecht exit door this summer.
After the latter completed a protracted move to Monaco, giving one of Europe’s most exciting talents a long-awaited opportunity in a major league, speculation has intensified that fresh-faced midfield partner Dendoncker could also earn the Belgian giants a rather substantial windfall.
The Sun reported in June that Everton had a £15 million bid rebuffed but, with the 22-year-old making it clear that he sees his immediate future elsewhere, Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reports that Anderlecht will now be receptive to offers from Goodison of around £18 million.
And, with the transfer window creaking shut in a matter of days, it’s understandable that Dendoncker’s head has been left spinning by the constant speculation.
“Is it getting to me? Maybe. I’m not exactly sure where I will play, and maybe it’s creeping inside my head,” the two-time Belgian international told DH after performing below his best in a 3-2 defeat to Sint-Truiden at the weekend.
Everton were heavily linked with a big-money move for Tielemans at the start of the summer, the International Business Times reporting that the dynamic midfielder would have been receptive to a move to Merseyside in order to develop his career.
However, Dendoncker would be no consolation prize after Tielemans moved to Monaco instead. A physically imposing powerhouse at 6ft 1ins, Dendoncker is also blessed by a graceful touch and a rangy stride that could help him adapt to the Premier League’s unforgiving environment.
He’s already proven his worth against English opposition too, netting a bullet header in the Europa League quarter-finals against Manchester United last season.
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