Forgotten Aston Villa man set for €6m transfer exit

Anderlecht are reportedly in talks with Aston Villa about signing midfielder Leander Dendoncker on a permanent basis.

Dendoncker returned to Belgium at the end of the summer transfer window, joining them on a season-long loan. According to Belgian outlet Voetbal Krant, there is a €8m buy-out clause, but they are hoping to knock that price down to around €6m.

Anderlecht want to sign Dendoncker 'as quickly as possible' and that 'talks are underway' to try and make the deal happen. If an agreement can be met, then he would sign a four-year deal at the The Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

The report adds that Dendoncker is aware that he has no future at Aston Villa. A permanent move to Anderlecht would allow him to be close to his friends and family.

The 29-year-old is under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2026, and so he still has two-years on his current deal. He joined Villa in September 2022 for a reported £13m when Steven Gerrard was in charge, but has limited opportunities under his successor Unai Emery.

Since joining from Wolves, Dendoncker has made 36 appearances, with one goal scored. Last term, he made 15 appearances, before being loaned out to Napoli were he made just three appearances.

Dendoncker began his career at Anderlecht, and was successful in his first spell. He won one league title and two Belgian Cups. Since re-joining them, he's made five appearances, and has captained them in four of those matches.

In September, Dendoncker opened up on his move to Anderlecht, following conversations with Unai Emery. He said to Het Laatste Nieuws: “We already had a conversation at the start of the transfer window. Anderlecht already wanted me to join then. I was open to it, but decided to wait a bit longer,” he said.

“I wanted to review my options. At that time, I was still fighting for my place at Aston Villa. Unai Emery took me to pre-season to the United States. But it gradually became clear that my playing opportunities would be scarce.

“Anderlecht were still interested. Jesper Fredberg and Brian Riemer immediately made it clear that my profile was much needed for Anderlecht. Then I didn’t hesitate for a moment.”