Aston Villa’s Leander Dendoncker saw his game time restricted since Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park in November 2022.
The midfielder was sent out on loan to Napoli in January and his situation didn’t improve in Italy. In the summer window, Aston Villa allowed him to join Anderlecht on a loan deal with an option to buy.
There was no total consensus within the Belgian club for the 29-year-old’s transfer.
That’s at least what journalist Jürgen Gerril, who covers Anderlecht for Het Nieuwsblad, claims. He revealed this during a Sjotcast podcast and his comments are relayed by Voetbal Krant.
Brian Riemer was the manager and Jesper Fredberg was the sporting director when the Aston Villa owned player arrived at the Jupiler Pro League side. Reimer left Anderlecht on September 18th, more than a month before Fredberg was relieved him from his duties.
According to Gerril, the director was not in favour of the Belgium international’s arrival at the club while the manager had other plans.
“Apparently Jesper Fredberg was not at all enthusiastic about bringing Dendoncker back,” he said.
“Fredberg believed that Matrs Rits’ profile was similar. Moreover, the latter had already proven that he was important to the team. Brian Riemer also previously requested an offensive profile to strengthen the team.”
The journalist claims Anderlecht chairman Wouter Vandenhaute was the one who pushed for Dendoncker’s return to the club.
“But it was Vandenhaute who pushed through and ultimately completed the transfer on his own,” Gerril explained.
The Villans man has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Anderlecht this season.
