Jose Mourinho may have given up on signing Nemanja Matic, if the location of some of his scouts tomorrow night is anything to go by.
The Manchester United manager has reportedly asked several of his scouts to attend Anderlecht's match against Antwerp tomorrow night, with the focus of their attention set to be on 22-year-old midfielder Leander Dendoncker.
The Belgium international impressed during Anderlecht's Europa League quarter-final clashes against United, last season, scoring the equalising goal in the first leg as the Jupiler Pro League side held Mourinho's men to a draw in Brussels.
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With RB Leipzig and AC Milan also circling the defensive midfielder, Anderlecht are believed to have slapped a £34 million price tag on Dendoncker, although that is unlikely to deter any of the three clubs, should they wish to make their interest more concrete.
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United had been expected to conclude a deal for Chelsea midfielder Matic, yet a widely reported £40 million move for the Serbian international appears to have stalled over the past couple of weeks, with Mourinho also casting his attention towards Tottenham's Eric Dier as a potential alternative to the former Benfica man, who he brought back to Stamford Bridge, in 2014.
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Dendoncker, who has two international caps to his name, has made 126 appearances for Anderlecht, scoring 10 goals. Almost half of the 22-year-old's appearances came during the 2016/17 campaign, where he turned out 56 times for the Purple and White.
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With rumours abound that Chelsea want £50 million for Matic, Mourinho may decide that Dendoncker, at £16 million less and with youth on his side, provides a cheaper, more long-term alternative to the Serbian powerhouse.
United fans, who would you prefer? The experience of Matic or the potential of Dendoncker?
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Have your say in the comments section on our Facebook page.
(H/T Metro)
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Anderlecht
