In recent months, stories have appeared several times claiming that Antwerp is short of cash. As a result, they had to let Arthur Vermeeren leave for Atletico Madrid in January and the Great Old will probably have to cash in on some strong players in the summer to fill the bills.
Boys like Mandela Keita and Michel-Ange Balikwisha seem to be eligible for a transfer, but a lot is especially expected from George Ilenikhena. The still only 17-year-old striker has impressed this season and has already scored fourteen times, including in the Champions League against FC Barcelona.
Antwerp wants 30 to 40 million for Ilenikhena
As a result, his name would have ended up in the scouting lists of many European superpowers and so Antwerp dreams of a record transfer. In recent weeks it has been suggested that they dream of a transfer fee between 30 and 40 million euros for their golden boy.
But that will be according to The newspapaer become virtually impossible. After all, they note that clubs rarely or never spend such amounts for such young players – even Jude Bellingham cost Dortmund ‘only’ 25 million euros.
Antwerp will have to make peace with less
Since 2020, four players aged 18 or younger have been sold worldwide for more than €30 million. They were Endrick (Real Madrid), Vitor Roque (FC Barcelona), Fabio Silva (Wolves) and Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid). However, with the exception of Silva, they had all proven a lot more at club and international level.
The newspaper therefore suggests that Antwerp may have to settle for an amount of 15 to 20 million euros. A similar scenario threatens as with Vermeeren in January. Then they also hoped for a transfer fee of 30 million, but in the end they had to settle for 18 million plus bonuses.
