Everton ready Leander Dendoncker move after green light – sources

Everton have registered their interest in signing Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Dendoncker, 29, has been on loan at Serie A side Napoli since moving in January, but the Italian club have no plans to extend his stay. Villa will listen to offers for the Belgian midfielder and have given him the green light to find a new club in the window that opens next month.

After making just nine appearances for the club this season and only 119 minutes of Premier League action before his loan, he is no longer part of Unai Emery’s plans.

Everton want to sign Leander Dendoncker

Dendoncker joined Villa from Wolves in 2022 for £13million, with the length of his contract remaining undisclosed.

In that time, he has made 36 appearances while dropping out of the Belgium squad for their most recent run of qualifiers and friendlies, having last appeared for his country in 2022.

Football Insider reported previously that there was concrete interest from Goodison Park in signing the midfielder this summer, and they are now readying a move.

After a disappointing spell at Napoli, making just three appearances since his arrival on loan, his stock has fallen yet again.

Meanwhile, former England international Paul Robinson insisted the Toffees could sign Dendoncker on the cheap, especially if key players are forced to leave Goodison.

Given the precarious financial situation at Goodison Park, any deal for Dendoncker would have to fit in with the club’s pay structure.

One player who could leave to pave the way for the Belgian is Amadou Onana, who is the most likely of Everton’s big names to depart this summer.

In other news, big update on Everton and potential Jack Harrison deal.