Last September, Aston Villa’s Leander Dendoncker returned to Anderlecht on loan with an option to buy.
The 30-year-old struggled for minutes under Unai Emery and Aston Villa first sent him on loan to Napoli in January 2024. He wasn’t able to impress in Italy.
There was a lot of excitement with his return, and it was expected the Aston Villa man would eventually join Anderlecht permanently, however, earlier this month, Gazet van Antwerpen stated the Jupiler Pro League side won’t exercise their €7m purchase option.
The defensive midfielder, who can also operate as a centre-back, wants to continue at Anderlecht. That’s according to Het Nieuwsblad, who again explain the club won’t be exercising the €7m clause.
There’s still a chance for Anderlecht to retain the Belgium international. Het Nieuwsblad state the player has to take at least a 50% pay cut and Aston Villa have to lower the price.
La Dernière Heure state his salary and not Aston Villa’s demand is what Anderlecht can’t match. They are aware Dendoncker wants to extend his stay and to do that he ‘will have to divide his salary. And by three rather than two.’
Dendoncker’s contract at Aston Villa lasts until 2026, and both parties will be looking to part ways permanently in the summer window. Whether he’ll continue at Anderlecht or move to another club remains to be seen.
