Talks ongoing as Aston Villa aim to sell forgotten midfielder

As Aston Villa try to make room in their squad for potential new signings one name being heavily linked with a move is Belgian midfielder Leander Dendoncker.

Dendoncker was signed by former Villa boss Steven Gerrard from Wolves in September 2022. Despite featuring in 24 of Villa's Premier League games in his first season at the club, Dendoncker has struggled to secure a place in the team and since Unai Emery's arrival at the club that task has only got more difficult. The former Wolves midfielder featured in just eight league games last season, starting just one.

Will Villa sell or loan Dendoncker?

Dendoncker was not part of the matchday squad for either of Villa's two opening games against West Ham and Arsenal and now it is believed Belgain Pro League side R.S.C Anderlecht are keen on signing the 29-year-old. Talks have began between the two clubs to try and reach an agreement for a sale, whilst Spanish club Las Palmas have also expressed an interest.

Should a deal be agreed between Aston Villa and Anderlecht then Dendoncker would be heading back to the club that he rose through the junior ranks with.

Due to Dendoncker's wages at Villa it is likely that a loan deal will be agreed. It is believed that the Belgian international is one of Villa's higher earners at the club in the region of £75,000 per-week and therefore Anderlecht are likely to seek a loan deal.

Leander Dendoncker, if it all goes through as expected, will leave Aston Villa having played 36 times across all competitions and scoring one goal in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in December.

Villa look to complete further business before the transfer window closes

It has been reported that Enzo Barrenechea could be close to leaving the club on loan also. The 23-year-old signed as part of the deal that saw Douglas Luiz leave for Juventus for PSR purposes is not considered to be part of Unai Emery's plans this season. Fabrizio Romano yesterday posted to say a deal with Valencia was almost completed but there has been some rumblings of doubt since and a deal is still yet to be complete.

Villa also remain hopeful of sealing a deal that would see centre-back Diego Carlos leave the club before the end of the week. The 31-year-old was not chosen to replace the injured Matty Cash during Villa's defeat to Arsenal, Emery instead favouring to bring in 18-year-old Kosta Nedeljkovic. That substitute seemed to suggest that Carlos is not in Emery's plans and if they can move him on before the end of the transfer window then the club will be able to remove his high wages from the bill.

These potential outgoings are thought to be part of the plan to bring in Feyenoord and Netherlands defender Lutsharel Geertruida. Talks had began between the two clubs a couple of weeks ago and with Villa having very limited depth at right-back as a result of the Matty Cash injury, Villa are thought to be working hard to sign the 24-year-old.

UTV