Anderlecht join English, German and French clubs in transfer battle for Nigeria’s ‘next Wilfred Ndidi’

Belgian giants Anderlecht have joined a growing list of top European clubs vying for the signature of rising Nigerian midfielder Anthony Dennis, who enjoyed a breakthrough season with Turkish Super Lig outfit Göztepe, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 21-year-old, who was named in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, has been the subject of sustained scouting attention from clubs across the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.

Now, reports in Turkey and Belgium indicate that Anderlecht are keen to make a formal approach for the Göztepe starlet.

Dennis made an immediate impact in his debut campaign in Turkey's Super Lig, featuring in 32 of Göztepe’s 36 league matches, helping the newly promoted side to an impressive 8th-place finish.

His tireless work rate, defensive discipline, and ability to retain possession under pressure have marked him out as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe. He also registered three assists and was one of the standout U21 stars in a competitive Turkish top flight.

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Anderlecht scouts have monitored Dennis extensively throughout the season, consistently filing positive reports.

However, securing a deal may prove difficult. The Nigerian, who only moved to Göztepe in 2023 from HB Academy in Abuja, is under contract until mid-2027 and currently carries a career-high market valuation of around €4 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Despite their ambition in the transfer market, Anderlecht may need to move players on or shelve other midfield targets to create room for Dennis. Sporting director Olivier Renard has already overseen three signings this summer, and Canadian youngster Nathan Saliba is reportedly close to joining, potentially complicating any move for the Nigerian.

Nevertheless, Dennis remains firmly on Anderlecht’s radar, with Turkish journalist Orcun Akten describing the interest from Brussels as “serious.”

On the international scene, Dennis is viewed as a long-term successor to Wilfred Ndidi in the Super Eagles set-up under head coach Eric Chelle, who holds the youngster in high regard.

For now, the transfer remains speculative — but with the window open and European interest intensifying, Anthony Dennis could soon be on the move to greener pastures.