Leander Dendoncker in advanced talks for last-gasp Aston Villa exit
Leander Dendoncker is in advanced talks to leave Aston Villa and rejoin Anderlecht, according to TEAMtalk.
The online source reported on Thursday (29 August) that the two clubs are in discussions over a move before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday 30 August.
Dendoncker, who joined from Wolves on a £13million deal in 2022 [BBC Sport], spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Napoli, where he made just three appearances.
Aston Villa to strike deal for Leander Dendoncker exit?
It comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody to see the Belgian midfielder linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer, given his failure to break into the first team.
Despite being a key member at the Molineux Stadium during his three years at the club, he never seemed to settle with the Villans, making just 36 appearances between August 2022 and January 2024.
With the likes of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley in the squad, and Boubacar Kamara yet to return from injury, there is little space for him.
Only nine of these appearances came as Premier League starts, seeing him search for more game time in Serie A with Napoli, though that move did not work out for him either.
Few fans at Villa Park will be emotional to see Dendoncker walk back through the exit doors, but this time on a permanent basis as a return to Anderlecht looks set to be completed before 30 August.
The 29-year-old began his senior career back at the Belgian club, making 171 appearances before securing a move to the Premier League with Wolves, and his career could now end at Anderlecht.
In other Aston Villa news, a loan deal has been agreed for Enzo Barrenechea as contract details emerge.
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