Everton want to sign Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker, Goodison board admire him – Fabrizio Romano
Everton are in the hunt to sign Wolves and Belgium midfielder Leander Dendoncker, according to Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Writing via his personal Twitter account on Friday morning (22 July), Romano claimed that Dendoncker, 27, is on Frank Lampard’s shortlist as the Blues manager aims to add an “extra quality midfielder” to his squad.
It is understood that Dendoncker is admired by the board at Goodison Park and the Toffees are “ready to explore this move” in the coming weeks.
Romano adds that while Dendoncker’s contract at Molineux expires next year, Wolves do have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Decent option
Dendoncker is an interesting one.
Since joining Wolves in 2019, he’s made 120 Premier League appearances so it would be fair to say that he’s a proven performer in England’s top-flight.
He’s also versatile and has the ability to play in a central midfield, defensive midfield or centre-back role.
Last season, Bruno Lage mainly played the Belgium international in the centre of the midfield but the 6ft 2 ace usually sits deeper and helps stop attacks while also launching them with his passing ability.
Everton’s midfield options are very light at the moment so even if Lampard signs Dendoncker, he’ll have to add one or two more options.
Since the end of last season, he’s lost Donny van de Beek and Fabian Delph while new signing Jack Patterson is bound to be joining up with the Blues’ Under-23s squad.
Most of the remaining midfielders at Goodison have been woeful in their performances and need to be upgraded upon.
Dendoncker would be an upgrade but is he the kind of signing that will make Evertonians turn around and say that we’ll 100 per cent avoid relegation next season? Probably not.
However, it would be a start.