RSC Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker has been a target for Manchester United and the Belgian champions are demanding £22 million for his services
Manchester United target Leander Dendoncker could be sold for a bid in the range of £22-26.5 million, according to reports from the Sun.
Dendoncker was the star of the 2016/17 campaign for Anderlecht, as he led the way from the front in their Belgian Jupiler Pro League triumph and was a star performer in their UEFA Europa League journey as well.
Incidentally, Dendoncker had found the back of the net against Manchester United in the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the quarter-final stages. The Red Devils went on to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate on their way to lifting the trophy.
However, Anderlecht haven’t had the best of campaigns this time around. They find themselves third in the league and the club are looking to bring some fresh faces in to the squad, in order to rebuild. But, given the tight budget at their disposal, the club are now understood to be open to the possibility of selling Dendoncker as they look to regain lost ground.
Anderlecht chief executive Herman van Holsbeeck said, as quoted by the Sun.
“Dendoncker is the centrepiece of our defence. If we let him leave it has to be for a lot of money. We also have to find a replacement for him, even if it is a loan for six months. A deal can be done if the interested club puts 25 or 30million euros (£22m-26.5m) on the table for him.”
The 22-year old Belgian midfielder had been a transfer target for Manchester United in the previous summer, with manager Jose Mourinho looking to add more numbers to his midfield, but there was no progress made on the deal.
Manchester United are set to lose Dendoncker’s fellow Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini in the summer. The former Everton man has entered the final six months of his current deal with the Red Devils, and has already rejected a new offer put forth by the club. The midfielder has reportedly told Mourinho that he is seeking a new challenge in his career and will be leaving.
Manchester United target Leander Dendoncker available for just £22m https://t.co/clPNfAw9Sp
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And with long-serving midfielder and current club captain Michael Carrick also in the twilight of his career, a new central midfielder is something that would be a welcome addition at Manchester United.
Dendoncker is primarily a defensive midfielder, but can also play as a classic No.8 or even as a centre-back, as he has done on a number of occasions this season for Anderlecht.
In the 2017/18 campaign, Dendoncker has featured 27 times across all competitions for Anderlecht, registering one assist so far.
Dendoncker has a contract that runs till 2021 with Anderlecht, but has already once refused a new extension offer from the club, with his heart understood to be set on a move to the Premier League.
Manchester United will, however, have to go against former manager David Moyes’ West Ham United side in their pursuit of Dendoncker, with the East Londoners also said to be very much interested in signing the player.
