Transfer market opens tomorrow: what do we expect?
MONDAY, 6 JANUARY 2025, 17:30 - lajoya
TRANSFERS For those wondering why no reinforcements have been announced yet: the transfer market in Belgium only opens tomorrow, on Jan. 7. So from then on, clubs can attract players or let them go. The transfer window runs until Feb. 3. So Olivier Renard has less than a month to arrange the necessary transfers to make Anderlecht competitive for the last half of the season. On top of that, Anderlecht's sporting director should not go out with an empty wallet. There would be a certain transfer budget available.
At what position do we definitely expect incoming transfers?
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Continue reading First of all, we will have to wait and see when the transfer of César Huerta is finalized. The winger prefers the left wing, but can also play on the right and as a deep striker. Huerta can quietly settle into the team and help accommodate a departure of Edozie in June. Meanwhile, he may also be able to compete on the right flank or assist/relieve Dolberg. There may be further tinkering on the flanks in the summer when Edozie has effectively left, but possibly Amuzu and Dreyer also announce departures. So building a list of additional opportunities for this position is not a luxury.
Given the injuries, the imminent departure of Zanka and Jan Vertonghen's (probably) final months as a professional player, reinforcements at center back need to come quickly. In all expectations, the club will be looking for a left-footed, fast and technically proficient player who can also build from the back. Preferably also someone who already gained some experience at other clubs. When Zanka and Vertonghen go, a lot of experience disappears from the central axis. And if Simic wants to grow quickly, he can use an experienced man next to him. In short: a solid set of requirements for Olivier Renard. Chances are good that reinforcements will come soon for the RSCA Futures to be able to chase away the relegation ghost altogether, especially as Lapage, Engwanda and Degreef join the first team's selection more and more.
Is Olivier Renard still looking for other opportunities?
Possibly a goalkeeper will be brought in as there are doubts about Kikkenborg as second goalkeeper. Kikkenborg can also count on interest from a few other clubs. In principle, Renard will only realize a transfer on this position when a good opportunity arises. The same goes for the left-back position. N'Diaye can count on solid interest from England and could leave the club, probably earlier in June. Searching for a good opportunity can certainly not hurt, although Anderlecht still has a solid backup in house with Augustinsson.
Any 'gambles' for reinforcements perhaps?
A good striker is expensive, so we don't expect immediate reinforcements there. Anderlecht currently has a Dolberg in form and a breaker in the person of Vazquez. Still, the offensive line is rather thin. Huerta, as reported above, can play centrally, but perhaps Renard will find a promising young striker and take the bait? A playmaker ... a lot of ink was wasted on that last summer. Meanwhile, although doubts have arisen about the future of Yari Verschaeren, Mario Stroeykens has emerged as an indispensable central pawn. Hazard is also injury-free and it remains unclear what position he will end up in given that there are some available players for the flanks. Will he perhaps operate centrally? So we do not expect an active search for a playmaker, unless an excellent opportunity presents itself....
What outgoing transfers can we expect?
First of all, the club will try to let some unnecessary players leave. We are thinking, for example, of Diawara, who may also command a hefty wage. But Marco Kana also seems to be at a dead end and Ashimeru is more injured than fit. Alexis Flips then again fails to make an appearance at Charleroi. There is a chance that the rental agreement will be reviewed (neither Charleroi nor Anderlecht benefit from a player who does not play). The same goes for Ishaq who barely collects minutes at the very last in the Norwegian league.
Zanka often made a doubtful impression at center back this season. In the last home game he once again fouled and lost purple and white. The defender was then firmly whistled by the home crowd, something that further soured his relationship with the fans. In principle, Zanka will leave the club for LA Galaxy, but this is unlikely to happen until a replacement is recruited. Perhaps loan spells will follow for certain youngsters hovering between the RSCA Futures and the A-core, such as Angulo, for example. Although Renard will have to weigh carefully here what the best option is: after all, you don't want to further weaken the RSCA Futures.
