Everton seem to be used in Belgium as an example of a Premier League club which may not be right at the top, but is still a worthy club to join.
In February 2017, Youri Tielemans, then at Anderlecht, had it put to him that a move to Everton could be the best next step for his career. The youngster agreed, but then moved to AS Monaco.
During the summer window, Everton were repeatedly linked with Leander Dendoncker, and in January it was claimed he’d been offered to the club. Those links have continued but probably been surpassed by West Ham and Crystal Palace recently.
Gazet van Antwerpen have a big feature on the player in their Wednesday edition.
It’s mainly a comparison between the Anderlecht midfielder-turned-defender and Club Brugge’s Brandon Mechele, but Aad de Mos, an analyst of Belgium football, was asked about the youngster potentially moving to the Premier League this summer.
“It will not be at the top,” said De Mos. “He won’t go to Chelsea, rather to a club like Crystal Palace or Everton. It is important to keep that pressure away. At one point, a transfer seemed more important than his game, which he suffered from. In the past few weeks he is better.”
Leander Dendoncker is a 23 year old versatile player who is perhaps better known as a midfielder, but has been deployed in defence for Anderlecht this season. He’s right footed, 6ft 2in, and hugely keen on a move to the Premier League.
Crystal Palace are expected to make an offer in the summer, and it would be no surprise if the player’s agent, Christophe Henrotay, offers him to Everton again.
In the winter market, Belgian newspaper HLN referenced good relations between Bill Kenwright and the agent, but at that time there wasn’t enough interest.
