West Ham United have been linked with a £17.6million move for young Belgian prospect Leander Dendoncker, and the powerhouse would be the perfect signing for David Moyes this month.
As reported by Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, West Ham are said to have opened preliminary talks with Anderlecht over a move for the 22-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester United.
The report claims that while Anderlecht are reluctant to let him go, they have promised Dendoncker that they will let him go for the right price at the end of the season.
However, Dendoncker has shown that he wants a move away from the club as soon as possible after rejecting a new contract earlier this season, and a January move is seen as possible.
There can be no doubting how significant a coup this would be for the Hammers, with Dendoncker seen as the next big thing in Belgium’s seemingly endless conveyor belt of new stars.
The youngster burst onto the scene for Anderlecht as an 18-year-old, and has gone on to make over 150 appearances for his boyhood club, also earning four caps for the Belgium senior side already.
The powerhouse midfielder, who stands at 6ft 2ins, has been in imperious form for Anderlecht as they sit third in the Jupiler League.
He has shown his versatility by playing in three positions this season, turning out at centre-back, defensive midfield, and attacking midfield.
It is this versatility however that has led to the tension between player and club, with Dendoncker unhappy at his continuing deployment in defence.
But it is also this versatility that would make the 22-year-old a perfect fit at West Ham as they look to steer clear of relegation.
It is no secret that the Hammers need strengthening in midfield, with Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble the only options there, and all three have been massively inconsistent this term.
Dendoncker would provide some much-needed steel, but his passing is a massively overlooked facet of his game that would add even more to their midfield.
And to have him be able to provide cover in defence too, where the Hammers have been laid bare at times this year, make him the perfect January signing.
Winston Reid has been a shadow of his former self, James Collins and Jose Fonte have been beset by injury, with Angelo Ogbonna the only dependable option so far.
Declan Rice is emerging as a real prospect too, but some more cover at the back is always welcome.
The reported fee for Dendoncker is around £20million, which would be a snip in today’s market.
Compare that to Jonjo Shelvey, another midfielder that the Hammers have been linked with.
Shelvey would most likely cost around £15million from Newcastle, and is a player that has shown he has several shortcomings at the top level.
Dendoncker on the other hand is a young star who has made over 150 senior appearances already in his career, turned out for the one of the world’s best international sides, and can provide cover in several different positions.
Quite frankly, what more can you want from a January signing?