Throughout the January transfer window Leander Dendoncker was linked with a move to the Premier League. First it was Everton who were the main subject of rumours and then that very much moved to West Ham.
West Ham’s efforts to sign the Anderlecht midfielder/defender were covered heavily in Belgium, but ultimately proved futile with the 23 year old again missing out on a Premier League transfer.
Just after the window shut, Anderlecht’s then general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck spoke to Belgium’s Sporza, who were able to reveal Crystal Palace had made a ‘good offer’.
Van Holsbeeck was quoted as saying: “Especially the time of the negotiations was unfortunate. If we had received that offer on January 2nd, we would have had a whole month to negotiate and find an alternative.”
Wednesday’s edition of HLN says Crystal Palace are now preparing a new offer for the player. As long as they avoid relegation, Palace have a plan to go back in.
There’s two notes worth making here. The €15m figure was reported after Dendoncker’s 
supposed failed West Ham transfer (which may well have actually been Crystal Palace) as an amount the club had agreed with the player’s entourage, who were fuming about the failed move.
The next note is that a week or so ago it was reported in Belgium that Atletico Madrid have an option to sign the player for €20m, something which has been agreed between the club and is a signed commitment. We’re not so sure about that, and don’t think the Belgian press are either.
