Deal Close: Unai Umery may have offered Aston Villa world-class player to Everton as player has likely played his last game for Everton

Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker has emerged as a summer transfer target for Everton, according to reports. The Belgian player’s future at Villa Park looks uncertain, with his contract set to expire in June 2026. However, it appears that all parties involved are keen to part ways.

Dendoncker’s loan spell at Napoli earlier this year did not go as planned. Despite initially expressing his enthusiasm for the move and promising to work hard to become a regular starter, he only managed to accumulate a mere 21 minutes of playing time. The lack of match fitness was cited as the reason for his limited involvement, and Napoli ultimately decided not to activate their €9 million (£7.7 million) buy option.

Now, Everton manager Sean Dyche is reportedly interested in reviving Dendoncker’s career, with the Toffees believing they can help him regain his form. Aston Villa, on the other hand, are said to be willing to let him go, although they will likely aim to recoup as much of the €15 million (£12.8 million) fee they paid to Wolverhampton Wanderers as possible.

The relationship between Dendoncker and Aston Villa has become strained, particularly after his comments upon joining Napoli. In an interview with Voetbal Nieuws, he appeared to take a dig at his former club, stating that Napoli was “slightly more prestigious” and had performed better on the European stage in recent seasons. He also mentioned that he needed a new start, implying that his time at Aston Villa had become stale.

Dendoncker’s comments have likely burned his bridges at Villa Park, making it highly unlikely that he will play for the club again. With his future uncertain, a move to Everton could be a fresh start for the 29-year-old midfielder. However, Aston Villa will need to negotiate a reasonable transfer fee, given his underwhelming spell in Italy.

The situation highlights the complexities of transfer deals and player relationships in modern football. As the summer transfer window approaches, it will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds and whether Dendoncker can revive his career at Everton.