Man Utd Boost: Agent Confirms £31.5m Target Wants Move

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Man Utd receive a boost in their pursuit of Leander Dendoncker….

Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Leander Dendoncker after his agent confirmed the midfielder is keen to leave Anderlecht this summer, according to a report in the Express.

Dendoncker has developed in to one of the hottest prospects in Belgian football since progressing through the Anderlecht youth system to become a first team regular and he played every minute to help the club win the title last season.

The 22-year-old caught the eye after scoring against United during their Europa League quarter-final clash last season and Jose Mourinho was seen speaking with the youngster shortly after the final whistle.

The Mirror reported last week that United chiefs have held talks with the midfielders agent, Christophe Henrotay, about a potential move to Old Trafford this summer.

It looks like Dendoncker may have had his head turned as Henrotay has now confirmed the Belgian international is looking to leave in search of a new challenge but concedes any move could be difficult.

Henrotay is quoted as saying by the Express:

“Anderlecht want to keep him but the kid wants a new challenge,”

“We’ll see if we can find an agreement with the club, but that seems difficult.”

These comments come shortly after Anderlecht manager Herman van Holsbeek admitted that while the club are desperate to keep hold of the defensive midfielder they may have to sell if an offer worth between £22.5m and £31.5m came in.

Holsbeek is quoted as saying by the Express:

“We want to cherish him [Dendoncker], but if a club is willing to pay between €25m and €35m, we have a problem.

“Against Man United [in the Europa League] he has shown twice that he has the potential to play at a top European club.”

“We will do everything we can to get him to stay with us for another year.”

You’d assume Anderlecht would try to get towards the higher end of this valuation so United may have to pay close to £31.5m to land Dendoncker but it seems the player is keen on making a move this summer.

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The Belgian youngster would probably find it difficult to command a first team place at United immediately due to the arrival of Nemanja Matic but he could be seen as the ideal long-term replacement for Michael Carrick.