On Saturday, Het Nieuwsblad reported that Everton and West Brom were keen on Standard Liège’s Ishak Belfodil.
Both Ronald Koeman and Tony Pulis are looking for strikers this January to bolster their options for the second half of the season, and the 14 times capped Algeria international has apparently made their list.
The Belgian newspaper claimed Standard ‘realised’ they wouldn’t be able to refuse an offer of around €10m for the player, despite them claiming the 24-year-old was worth around €15m in their eyes.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and Olivier Renard, Standard’s director of sport, has made it clear to DH their key striker isn’t going anywhere.
Speaking to the Belgian publication, the former goalkeeper explained Belfodil was far too important to them, and wouldn’t leave unless an incredible offer for both club and player turned up.
He said: “There’s a lot of interest, but he isn’t looking to force an exit. In fact, there’s a 100% chance of him staying… since he’s already here. We want to keep our best players for as long as possible, but if Manchester United come knocking…”
The striker has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 21 games since his arrival in the summer on a free after his contract with Baniyas SC in the UAE was cut short on the 31st of August.
Selling him on for €10m, an extremely affordable fee for both Everton and West Brom, would certainly hand the Belgian club a nice little six month profit, yet with the club looking to climb back up the table during the second half of the season, keeping their best striker is probably be the wiser move.
