Vincent Kompany has promoted several youngsters to the first team since taking over the coaching job at Anderlecht in the summer of 2019.
Killian Sardella is among them and he has held on to his place in the senior team after been given an opportunity in 2019.
Two years ago, Arsenal tried to lure the defender before he made his way into the Jupiler Pro League’s first team and the Gunners’ interest in the 18-year-old was reported by Sport/Foot last October.
The former Manchester City captain has used the Belgium U21 international on either side of the back four, while Sardella can operate in the heart of the defence as well.
His performances convinced Anderlecht to offer the defender a five-year contract last June.
“Yes, but they wanted me as a controlling midfielder. After ten years of youth training, I couldn’t just say goodbye to Anderlecht, could I?” Sardella was quoted as saying.
The Gunners wanted to convert the teenager into a midfielder, which is why he wasn’t keen on joining them. It was for this reason he turned them down and Sardella’s father, Dino, had also confirmed this in September 2020.
“Two years ago, Arsenal wanted to take him but it was to make him a defensive midfielder. The English club considered him too small to play behind [in the defence],” he told La Dernière Heure.
