Sources: Everton set sights on Aston Villa star Dendoncker

Leander Dendoncker, a midfielder for Aston Villa, is being watched by Everton

ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

 

Sean Dyche, the manager of the Toffees, is reportedly a huge fan of the 28-year-

old, who isn’t getting much play at Villa Park.

Premier League underachievers Even with their recent point deduction and ensuing financial concerns, Everton will

be looking for a defensive midfielder in January.

In the meanwhile, it’s thought that Villa would consider bids for Dendoncker come January 1.

 

In the most recent summer transfer window, the Belgium international was

on the verge of finalizing a move to Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce on deadline day.

 

However, negotiations broke down due to unachievable terms, which kept him at Villa Park until January.

Dendoncker, who reportedly makes £90,000 a week, is contracted with the Midlands powerhouses until June 2027.

 

Kevin Thelwell, the director of football at Everton, is familiar with him from his

days overseeing recruitment at Wolves, the player’s previous team.

 

Just 119 minutes have he played for Unai Emery’s team this season in his eight outings.

His last start came in the 1-0 Europa Conference League win over Zrinjski

Mostar in early October – but he was withdrawn after 45 minutes.

 

The likes of Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri

Tielemans are above the 28-year-old in Emery’s pecking order.

 

Dendoncker, who cost a reported fee of around £13million when he joined from

Wolves in 2022, can play at centre-back, defensive midfield and central midfield.

 

He has gone on to make just 29 appearances for the Midlands giants, totalling 893 minutes of action.

After losing 3-0 at home to Manchester United last week, Everton is currently

five points from safety in the Premier League standings, ranked 19th.

 

Their next game is on Saturday, December 2, against Nottingham Forest, while on Sunday, December 3, fourth-

place Aston Villa play Bournemouth in the league.