Manchester City ready to battle rivals United for Anderlecht’s Belgium star Leander Dendoncker
Jose Mourinho has long been an admirer of the £30million-rated midfielder but Pep Guardiola has now shown an interest
MANCHESTER CITY are ready to battle rivals United for Belgium international Leander Dendoncker.
The Anderlecht midfielder has long been a United target.
He scored against them in the Europa League in April, and saw his value rocket to £30million after inspiring his club to the league title.
Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho has sent a spy to check on the 22-year-old once again in Anderlecht's trip to Mechelen tonight.
But City chief Pep Guardiola has now entered the race for the anchorman by sending scouts to the same game.
And Dendoncker would be strongly tempted by the prospect of a move to the Etihad, where he would link up with national teammates Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne.
The versatile midfielder can also operate in central defence.
A first-team regular since the age of 19, he is in line to be part of Belgium's star-studded World Cup squad next summer.
A host of other leading clubs will also watch him tonight, including Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Marseille, Rennes, Heerenveen and AZ Alkmaar.
Dendoncker has previously attracted interest from Chelsea and Everton.
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The Passendale-born player is under contract at the Parc Astrid until 2021.
Dedoncker joined the youth ranks of Anderlecht aged 14 after impressing with local side Rosalere, based in his native West Flanders region of Belgium.
An international at all youth levels, Dedoncker was earmarked for a bright future in the game from an early age as he progressed through the academy ranks of the 34-time Belgian champions.
