Man Utd are expected to set up their interest in Anderlecht top prospect Leander Dendoncker.
Dendoncker impressed Jose Mourinho last season when Man Utd faced Anderlecht in the Europa League, and he is viewed as a possible back-up to Nemanja Matic.
Man Utd’s hopes of luring the Belgian international to Old Trafford have received a timely boost after Anderlecht admitted the club are preparing for life without Dendoncker.
Anderlecht sold star midfielder Youri Tielemans in the transfer window and sporting director Herman van Holsbeeck admits he Dendonckers could move on in the future.
“Dendoncker’s head was elsewhere,” he told Sport/Foot, as reported by the Daily Express.
“He showed his disappointment during training at not being transferred.”
“His mate, Tielemans, went to Monaco, he was training with the national team and he wanted, like them, to play in the biggest leagues.”
“Certain people in his entourage put pressure on me, on the club or on his agent, Christophe Hentoray.”
“Today, we’re prepared to pay him based on his status of key player and to work on his future transfer like we did for Youri. In fact, we all have an interest in working together.”
Man Utd face Everton tomorrow after a strong start to the season, though Mourinho’s mood has been tempered by the news that key midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to miss several weeks thorugh injury.
The French midfielder picked up a hamstring injury during the 3-0 win over Basel and is expected to be replaced by Ander Herrera.