Chelsea may yet return for Belgian midfield enforcer as club resist January bids
Football Soccer - RSC Anderlecht v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg - Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussells, Belgium - 13/4/17 Anderlecht's Leander Dendoncker celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge Livepic
Anderlecht defensive midfielder Leander Dendoncker is unlikely to leave the Belgian club this month, according to Het Nieuwsblad.
Chelsea were linked with a bid for the 22 year old in the summer but since then, Everton and West Ham have reportedly stepped up their interest in the holding midfield player.
The Hammers’ reported interest has however cooled after signing Joao Mario from Inter Milan on loan, although the Toffees were said to be still keen on signing the player this month.
The impending sale of Sofiane Hanni to Spartak Moscow may scupper any club’s plans to sign Dendoncker as Het Nieuwsblad report that Anderlecht are unwilling to let more than one of their key players leave.
Chelsea could therefore reignite their interest in the summer if Tiemoue Bakayako’s performances remain unconvincing. The Frenchman has struggled for form since his £36m arrival from Monaco in the summer.
Whether Dendoncker would be the player the Blues turn to though, it is not known. The Belgian international has played 22 times this campaign, making one assist.