Leander Dendoncker is a popular figure in the rumour mill, many fans of Premier League clubs seem to want the player and hold him in high regard.

That’s why Everton links building in Belgium are interesting.

Today is supposed to be Anderlecht’s deadline to sell Dendoncker, but it’s not being taken overly seriously. The Belgian club’s stance on the player has changed more than once this summer, and if a big offer came in, there’d be no worry if it happens after August 15th.

Voetbal Zone report: ‘And according to Het Nieuwsblad , the player himself has a transfer in his head. For example, Dendoncker would still hope for an offer from England, More specifically from Everton. Under the wings of Ronald Koeman, this would be an ideal intermediate step, but there is no specific offer at the moment.’

Voetbal Krant go with the headline ‘Dendoncker is dreaming of this club, Anderlecht is already looking for an alternative’, with the club then named as Everton, and Het Nieuwsblad again referenced.

Reports along similar themes are spreading, and Dendoncker to Everton is becoming a thing.

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Sport Witness tracked the story back to see what Het Nieuwsblad actually said, and it was this: ‘Anderlecht’s deadline for Dendoncker’s transfer expires on Tuesday, but there is no offer yet. Still, DD seems to be hoping for an English (Everton?) proposal.’

It’s not quite ‘DENDONCKER DREAMING OF EVERTON’.

Everton were long presented as a perfect intermediate step for Youri Tielemans, something the player himself agreed with on Belgian radio, and there were countless rumours.

The same may be happening with Dendoncker. With Everton loaning Henry Onyekuru to Anderlecht this summer, there’s a relationship between the two clubs, and that prepares the ground further for a rumour.

Het Nieuwsblad didn’t explain why they threw Everton’s name into the mix, presumably there’s some reason for it. Should Everton want to act on any interest they may have, the transfer won’t come cheap, but will likely be cheaper than claims earlier this summer.

After Anderlecht fed a €38m asking price to the Belgian media, Herman Van Holsbeeck, Anderlecht’s sport manager (similar to a director of football) was quoted at the end of July as saying: “We want to cherish him, but if a club is willing to pay between 25 and 35 million, we have a problem.”

Earlier this month, the player’s agent Christophe Henrotay said: “Anderlecht want to keep him, but the kid wants a new challenge. We’ll see if we can find an agreement with the club, but that seems difficult.”