Friday, November 16, 2012

Liverpool & Ajax Asked To Pay Big For Belgian Starlet

Liverpool and Ajax have been warned that they will have to be prepared to “dig very deep into their pockets” if they wish to sign Belgian youngster Dennis Praet.

The 18-year-old Anderlecht starlet has impressed during the Belgian side’s Champions League campaign this season, drawing earlier comparisons to current Chelsea star Eden Hazard. Subsequently, it hasn’t taken long for the midfielder to attract suitors from the continent, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly keen to add another youngster to his developing side.

As the number of burgeoning technically gifted Belgian internationals in the Premier League continues to grow, Anderlecht is keen to stop Praet following the trend, for the time being. Herman Van Holsbeeck, the Belgian team’s sporting director, remained coy on the reported interest in the 18-year-old, but the underlining message was clear; any club wanting to take the gifted midfielder must be prepared to pay a considerable fee for the man Anderlecht are looking to build their team around.

“If they want to get him, they will have to dig very deep into their pockets,” Van Holsbeeck told Gazet Van Antwerpen. “We have heard nothing from Ajax and even less than Liverpool.”

The other interested party Ajax, are faced with their troublesome prospect of holding onto Denmark international Christian Eriksen, who has also been linked with a move to Anfield. With Eriksen yet so sign a new deal at the Amsterdam Arena, the Eredivisie champions are eyeing Praet as a possible replacement.

No comments: