"Vermaelen and Origi are too expensive for us"

INTERVIEWS Despite the capital increase, Anderlecht will not do crazy things on the transfer market in the coming years either. "Getting a 6 to 7 million euro striker is not yet one of our possibilities," says Peter Verbeke. "We have to look for young talent and hope he explodes."


According to Verbeke, Anderlecht's scouts are currently busy looking for that kind of players. If they don't find him, Anderlecht might rent a striker again. "I used to have my doubts about loans, but now I dare say that two or three rented players in the team is quite ok."

Verbeke has big confidence in the scouting. "The goal is to find a Sergio Gomez at least every two years. We paid 1.5 million euros for him, now he is worth ten." According to Verbeke, Anderlecht must outperform the other top clubs in the transfer market by being resourceful, not by spending a lot of money.

Last week, some websites speculated heavily about a transfer of Thomas Vermaelen to Anderlecht. The defender is transfer free after his Japanese adventure. "But we can't pay his wages. Ditto for Origi. And I doubt that the latter would like to return to Belgium," said Verbeke.