Leander Dendoncker has found it difficult to enjoy minutes after Unai Emery arrived at Aston Villa in November 2022. The Premier League club sent him on loan to Napoli in January 2024 and he struggled in Italy.
Last September, Aston Villa let the 30-year-old join Anderlecht on loan with an option to buy. There was a lot of excitement when he returned to his former club, but he couldn’t replicate the form from his first spell.
A month ago, we covered claims from Belgium which stated Anderlecht have decided not to retain the Aston Villa man. Tuesday’s edition of Gazet van Antwerpen backs it up and shares more on this case.
The Belgium international played 3,429 minutes from 40 games in all competitions mainly as a defensive midfielder and a centre-back. Anderlecht agreed a €7m buying option with the Villans.
According to the report, the former Wolves man’s performances this season have been ‘mediocre’. Therefore, his €7m ‘purchase option will not be paid’ to Aston Villa by the Jupiler Pro League club.
Dendoncker will have to return to Villa Park, where he has a contract until 2026. With Emery leaving him out of his plans, a new solution has to be found for the Belgian in the summer window.
