Earlier today, we covered a report from O Jogo which presented Sporting’s growing interest in signing Zeno Debast from Anderlecht.
The Lisbon club are aware they could lose one of Ousmane Diomande or Goncalo Inacio, or potentially even both, this summer, so they’re looking for talented young defenders to bring in.
Debast, who is just 20-years-of age and a full Belgium international, is a firm target. However, the Lions aren’t alone, with West Ham and others said to be pressing for his signing.
O Jogo carry the claims on today, and they’ve spoken to Filip de Wilde. He played for Sporting for a couple of years in the 1990s and was also a Belgium international, so that’s why they’ve contacted him.
His words about Debast are as relevant for West Ham as they are for Sporting, with De Wilde saying: “He is a very young player, who trained as a midfielder and who dealt with the difficulties in Anderlecht’s first team. He is a very skilled player, it is his best quality, he takes advantage of having started as a midfielder, he has a lot of technical ability.
“He has played at a high level in Belgium, that’s why the coaches like him. He is in fact one of the most interesting players and one of the greatest talents in Belgium at this stage.”
De Wilde went on to say: “Debast perhaps has the same style and the same path as Vincent Kompany. But he has to be a little faster.”
There are also other areas for growth, although it’s clear there’s a talent here.
With Sporting very serious, and others such as AC Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSV and Ajax also keen, West Ham would likely need to move quickly.
No Dithering Dave on this one!
