Some reinforcements are to be expected at Anderlecht during the January winter transfer window, with a central defender in their sights and possibly a reinforcement to replace Mario Stroeykens. Sports director Olivier Renard is banking on intelligent and profitable transfers, in collaboration with coach David Hubert to attract the right profiles.
Star starters like Kasper Dolberg and Stroeykens will not be sold, but Renard could let go of superfluous players like Amadou Diawara or perhaps even Yari Verschaeren in the event of an attractive offer.
At least one transfer
During the January transfer window, Olivier Renard will not carry out many maneuvers and we should not expect many transfers to Anderlecht. The sporting director will, however, be able to show his way and, who knows, perhaps already make his mark with a few reference transfers.
“If he can bring a good defender or a good playmaker to Lotto Park in January…” Het Nieuwsblad suspects. “The new boss will want to prove his abilities with at least one reinforcement,” adds the newspaper.
An additional central defender is notably expected, but according to Le Soir, there is also a possibility of bringing in reinforcement for Mario Stroeyens, a guy who is not currently part of the core. Stroeykens’ injury could convince the board to take action.
Renard aura you budget
Olivier Renard will give David Hubert a say in transfers and he will never impose a player on his coach. Hubert will indicate the profile he needs and it will then be up to Renard and the recruiters to present the coach with 4, 5 or even 6 options.
Het Nieuwsblad also reports that Anderlecht will not spend crazy sums during the winter transfer window, but also that it will not send Renard into the market empty-handed. The sports director will look for the best solution in terms of value for money, while respecting the set budgets. It’s a big challenge, but it’s also Renard’s strength.
“Anyone can find a player worth four million. The trick is to find a player who is worth four million when he costs 200,000,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws. “But I’m not Harry Potter.” I can’t buy a player today for a million and sell him tomorrow for 10, 15 or 20 million.”
Fox will not sell: Unless…
Olivier Renard has clearly set his objectives for this season: a place in the top three is the goal to achieve, and to do this, the core must be strengthened. With this in mind, starters like Kasper Dolberg and Mario Stroeykens cannot leave.
“The objective is not to weaken by selling incumbents who bring a lot. On the contrary, we want to strengthen the core,” emphasized Renard in an interview with RTL.
According to Renard, there is no pressure from management to sell players. However, it does not completely exclude outgoing transfers.
“If there is a departure, it is because we received an offer that we could not refuse,” he added. Additionally, Renard could make a significant move by getting rid of unnecessary players, like Amadou Diawara. According to Het Nieuwsblad, he would also consider selling Yari Verschaeren in January, provided an attractive offer arises.
