Refaelov wants clarity on contract extension by New Year

TRANSFERS Lior Refaelov is out of contract with Anderlecht after this season and wants to know by New Year whether an extended stay at Lotto Park is happening. This is what his manager Dudu Dahan told Het Laatste Nieuws today. Dahan meanwhile screens interest from other clubs, including "a Belgian top club".


Back for a moment to two years ago. Refaelov was then at the end of his contract with Antwerp and the Great Old hesitated too long to offer Refaelov a contract extension in which the playmaker could agree. Anderlecht took advantage and got him to sign a two-year contract.

That contract expires in June and Refaelov, or at least his manager, is warning purple-white not to let the same thing happen to Antwerp. Het Laatste Nieuws knows that talks on an extension have been initiated, but the question is what figures will be included in the new deal. Peter Verbeke's unavailability does not simplify matters.

Legally, Refaelov can sign a contract with a new club from January, starting from July 1. "There are more clubs lining up for Rafa now, at 36, than when he was 25," Refaelov's manager says that there's interest from numerous clubs. "I have several concrete proposals in my pocket. A top Belgian club has come forward, as has a team from the MLS that also showed interest in the past five transfer periods. Furthermore, there is interest from top clubs from Israel, where there is a lot of money."

Dahan says he has not yet talked to any club other than Anderlecht. "Whether that remains the case depends on purple-white," he warns. "Before the end of the year, we want to know where we stand." According to Dahan, Refaelov feels very good at Anderlecht and does not want to leave. But that was also the case at Antwerp ...