Southampton held off on transfer, perhaps Everton move likelier after Koeman visit

 

Spanish newspaper Marca have an article in their Tuesday edition on Dennis Praet possibly moving to Celta Vigo. It’s explained that after signing Pione Sisto, Celta Vigo will attempt to build a deal for Praet in the coming days.

Marca say Celta Vigo have offered €8m for Praet, but Anderlecht are refusing to sell the player for less than €10m. The 22 year old only has a year left on his contract, otherwise the price would be higher, maybe much higher.

In the past two months, according to Marca, the €10m price has held off Southampton, Sevilla and Sampdoria. For the Premier League club, that would appear strange.

They’ve been linked to the player for years, and sent scouts repeatedly. If after all that they’re still interested, then refusing to pay €10m seems unnecessarily cautious.

Southampton’s interest in Praet was also backed by Ronald Koeman, now Everton manager. In May of this year we covered reports that Ronald had sent his brother Erwin to watch Praet, and he’d been impressed.

Everton themselves have also been linked previously, but according to the Belgian press they couldn’t agree a fee with Anderlecht last summer.

Dennis Praet for €10m? It’s well worth the risk.