As is often the tradition, a transfer rumour involving Manchester United is sparking serious debate.
It is not often any incoming or outgoing from Old Trafford is greeted by universal acclaim.
And suggestions that Manchester United could move on one of Erik ten Hag’s signings after just two seasons in England’s north west have split fans and pundits alike right down the middle at his prospective new employers.
According to CaughtOffside, Man United are willing to shift Christian Eriksen out the door to the tune of around £4.2 million. There have been tentative links with former employers Ajax.
A move to Belgium with Anderlecht appears far more likely at this stage, however. Caught Offside report that talks have taken place between the Jupiler League giants and the veteran Denmark international.
But when signing a player of 32 – regardless of his ‘world-class’ capabilities – there is always the need to balance the potential advantages with the potential downsides.
Hein Vanhaezebrouck, the hugely experienced head coach who recently had a spell in the Anderlecht hotseat, feels that the chance to bring in a player of Eriksen’s raw quality is one that should not be squandered.
Especially with Anderlecht – who finished third last term – looking to end a seven-year wait for domestic glory.
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Manchester United could sell Christian Eriksen
“I saw that Anderlecht were interested in Eriksen,” Vanhaezebrouck tells Het Nieuwsblad, highlighting the role fellow Dane’s Thomas Delaney and Kasper Schmeichel played during 2023/24.
“He would be a great signing for the club. He is capable of scoring and providing assists. We have already seen in the past that the Danish connection could result in great transfers.
“If you can get Eriksen, you should not hesitate.”
Vanhaezebrouck does admit that rising star Yari Verschaeren would maybe be ‘hurt’ by the arrival of a playmaker nearly a decade his senior.
Verschaeren is the bright young thing at Anderlecht these days but Eriksen is ‘the same type of player’; operating in the same roles and pulling the same strings.
Silvio Proto, the former RSCA goalkeeper, is far more focused on the negatives than the positives.
He feels that – in addition to damaging Verschaeren’s development – signing Eriksen would shift Anderlecht’s focus away from an academy that has churned out such talents as Julien Duranville, Bilal El Khannouss and Jeremy Doku in recent times.
Anderlecht heroes split on Eriksen deal
“What would such a player bring to the club? Explain that to me,” Proto argues in conversation with RTL. “I don’t know if (Eriksen) would solve all the problems.
“Invest in a young Belgian or a young player that you can sell later. It’s a waste of money (signing Eriksen). Is it certain that he will bring a title? No. And if he takes Verschaeren’s place, you also kill a young player.”
Interestingly, Anderlecht’s head coach is a man who knows Eriksen well.
Brian Riemer was working as an assistant to Thomas Frank at Brentford when the Premier League outfit offered him a fresh start in English football a couple of years ago, Eriksen forced out of Inter Milan on medical grounds.
“Look, we are always looking for good players. Connections can mean something. But transfer periods are strange things,” Riemer tells DH Net.
“Last year nobody could have expected (former Borussia Dortmund winger) Thorgan Hazard to be here, until it happened on the last day. Just like with Schmeichel. Doors open and close quickly.
“I know Christian Eriksen well, yes,” Riemer adds. “We worked together at Brentford three years ago and I still exchange messages with Christian regularly.
“I know that he is now at a training camp in LA with Man United. So I can confirm that he is not in Brussels!
“In general, I can say that (CEO) Jesper Fredberg and the scouting are working day and night to get reinforcements, but it is not the case that you can just grab players off the shelf. It sometimes takes time to massage certain targets.
“At the end of the window, there is sometimes an opportunity like last season with Thorgan Hazard.”
Eriksen’s Man United contract expires in 2025.
But, while he has made no secret of his frustration at a back seat role under Erik ten Hag, Eriksen is also in ‘no rush’ to say his goodbyes.
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