Anderlecht has officially shown interest in 22‑year‑old Nigerian midfielder Anthony Dennis, who is currently under contract with Turkish side Göztepe. According to Transferfeed, the Red Lions have already secured permission to approach the player, though a suitable fee is still required.

Who is Anthony Dennis?

Born in 2004, Anthony Dennis has spent three seasons in the Turkish Süper Lig. At Göztepe he has logged 28 appearances, 12 of them as a starter, and scored two goals. Transfermarkt values him at €8 million, but with only one year left on his contract a lower fee is expected.

Why is Anderlecht targeting him?

The club is looking for a creative, physically strong midfielder to add balance to the centre of the pitch. After a 5‑1 defeat to Union St. Gilloise on 24 May, manager Brian Riemer made it clear that more stability is needed. Anderlecht sit 4th in the Jupiler Pro League with 33 points, recording 15 wins, 10 draws and 15 losses from 40 games, and sit 24 points behind leaders Club Brugge KV, so the pressure to close the gap is high.

What about Luis Vázquez?

While interest in Dennis rises, Luis Vázquez returns from a loan spell at Getafe. The Spanish club held a purchase option but let it lapse. Vázquez has already featured in a training match against Boulogne. Marca reports that talks are ongoing to sign the Argentine forward permanently, likely for a reduced fee compared with earlier expectations.

How will this affect the coming weeks?

If the Anthony Dennis deal materialises, he could join during the winter break, just as Anderlecht aims to narrow the title‑race deficit. The team has shown mixed form recently: the last five games produced two wins, one draw and two losses (LLWWD, most recent first). An addition in midfield could help the side address defensive frailties – 62 goals conceded, a –3 goal difference – and gain more control in the crucial stage of the season.