West Ham United have joined Manchester United in the race to sign highly rated midfielder Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht, according to reports coming from Belgium.
Belgian media outlet Nieuws Blad is reporting that West Ham United have opened discussions over signing Dendoncker.
It is no secret that West Ham are hoping to add to their central midfield department this season due to the erratic form of Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate and the injury problems suffered by Mark Noble.
A number of names have been mentioned, such as Stoke’s Joe Allen, Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey, Man United’s Marouane Fellaini, Bournemouth’s Harry Arter, Sporting CP’s William Carvalho and Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi.
Dendoncker is now on their radar and West Ham will be hoping to prise him away from Anderlecht as they did with Kouyate in 2014.
But Anderlecht will demand £20m for the 22-year-old as they hope to keep their star man at the club.
After starting his career as a defender, Dendoncker has transitioned into a defensive midfield role and this has impressed scouts from England, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton and Chelsea also interested.
The 4-cap Belgium international has a contract until 2021 with Anderlecht but he has publicly stated his desire to make a Premier League switch and will be sold for the right price.