Man Utd told to pay £27m for starlet, on Mourinho radar for almost 12 months

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Man Utd have previously been paired with an interest in Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker, now they’ve been told what it will take to sign him.

The 22-year-old has emerged as a real talent for the future in his homeland, making 154 appearances for Anderlecht since breaking into the senior side in 2013.

Jose Mourinho got a first hand look at him during the Europa League tie between the two sides last season, and it’s claimed by the Manchester Evening News that the Red Devils made an enquiry at the time.

Now, the Belgian outfit’s general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck has revealed the offer that it could take to convince them to sell, and it’s certainly a sizeable one.

“We’re not going to let our star go. Unless there is an insane bid perhaps. A transfer for €25-€30m is possible, but then we also need a replacement right away,” he is quoted as saying by MEN.

Impressively, Dendoncker has progressed through the youth ranks with Belgium too, featuring for the U16s side right the way through to the U21s before securing four caps for the senior side.

In turn, he has pedigree, experience and maturity which goes beyond most 22-year-olds, but that’s not to say that he would be ready for a big move to Man Utd in the near future.

What is clear though is that Mourinho will need midfield reinforcements this summer. With Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini on expiring contracts, that would leave him with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera.

That’s a talented trio, but much more is needed for a club challenging on multiple fronts for major honours, and so they’ll surely be looking at either Dendoncker or other possible targets in order to add more quality and depth in that department.

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