Everton expected to land Man Utd and Arsenal-linked Belgian teen
Published:Belgium’s hotly-anticipated 2014 World Cup campaign may have fallen somewhat flat, with Marc Wilmots’ men bowing out with a whimper in the quarter finals against Argentina, but their impressive conveyor belt of talent rolls on regardless.
Lille youngster Divock Origi’s emergence at international level was by a distance the most positive facet of the Rode Duivels’ World Cup story, with the Liverpool target usurping Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku after impressing off the bench during the group stage.
Manchester United teenager Adnan Januzaj also grabbed some game-time in Brazil, and another reported Brendan Rodgers fancy, Zakaria Bakkali, is expected to become a Wilmots regular soon, after impressing last term at PSV.
The next big thing off their youth production line looks likely to be David Henen, the Anderlecht attacking-midfielder who has struck 14 times in 17 combined outings between Belgium’s Under-15 and Under-18 sides.
Henen is yet to feature for the Belgian Pro League champions, and spent last term turning out on loan for French nouveau riche Monaco’s B side, but the 18-year-old’s burgeoning skills have seen both Man Utd and Arsenal linked with a bid for his services since the transfer window opened.
However, Everton chief Roberto Martinez seems to have stolen a march on his Premier League rivals, having revealed to Sky Sports after the Toffees’ friendly draw with Tranmere that a deal with Anderlecht was some way down the road to completion.
Indeed, Martinez spoke as if the switch was imminent, stating:
“He is a bright boy and we feel he is something different that we haven’t got in the Under-21s, so we are hoping he is going to be giving us something different in that group.”
According to the various reports regarding the potential transfer, Everton will have to stump up just £1m-£1.5m on the young forward, which could prove a steal if comparisons with Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo come anywhere close to realisation.
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