Before Dennis Praet moved to Sampdoria he’d spent several years being linked with a move to English football.
Everton were probably the English club linked most with Praet, as seems to be something of an Anderlecht tradition. When Praet left the Belgian club, Everton were then linked repeatedly with Youri Tielemans, and now the midfielder has moved to Monaco, Goodison Park links have moved to Leander Dendoncker.
It would seem the links carry on, because Praet is back in the Everton transfer rumour mill. Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad have used some artistic freedom with reports from Italy and set up a transfer ‘battle’ between Everton and Newcastle United.
Rafael Benitez’s side have been linked repeatedly with Praet this week, and it makes everything a little more exciting to throw Everton in with Newcastle.
Het Nieuwsblad say Newcastle United are ‘willing to offer’ €18m in their Everton battle, but Sampdoria are asking for at least €20m. Those figures sound quite over the top.
Praet cost Sampdoria around €10m a year ago so quite why Newcastle would be prepared to pay €18m, after a season in which the player’s reputation has probably gone backwards, is unclear.
And with Everton, Praet failing to really shine at Sampdoria may well have killed any interest there ever was, for now at least.
