£10M MISFIT ‘DISAPPOINTED’ AFTER FAILED MOVES TO BURNLEY AND CRYSTAL PALACE
Premier League trio Burnley, Crystal Palace, and Fulham all showed an interest in Aster Vranckx over the summer with the £10 million-rated midfielder ‘disappointed’ to miss out on a departure from Wolfsburg.
With the likes of Axel Witsel and Kevin de Bruyne on the wrong side of 30 these days, Aster Vranckx was one of the young, up-and-coming whippersnappers expected to provide a bridge between a decaying dynasty and an exciting new generation for the Belgian national team.
That he was left out of Domenico Tedesco’s squad for the October international break, then, rather sums up the direction of travel for a man who’s career is hardly panning out as expected.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri reported over the summer that Fulham and Crystal Palace had shown an interest in a player wanted by Man City and Liverpool when still a teenager at KV Mechelen. Burnley, L’Equipe add, then made a £10 million bid.
But when the window closed on September 1st, Vranckx found himself stuck at Wolfsburg. His frustration growing with every Bundesliga matchday he begins on the bench.
Burnley and Crystal Palace wanted Aster Vranckx
“Wolfsburg didn’t let me go. I was disappointed,” the 21-year-old tells Het Laaste Niuews.
“On the other hand, I got the feeling that Wolfsburg believed in me enormously. I was also told that I would get my chances.”
Actions speak louder than words, of course, and Vranckx has not started a single Bundesliga game this term, even if he is a regular off the bench.
“I wanted to leave, looking for playing time and confidence,” adds the twice-capped playmaker, who spent last season on loan at Italian giants AC Milan and confirms talks with both Fiorentina and PSV Eindhoven.
“This period makes me mentally stronger. I realize that you never just ‘get’ something as a professional football player. You have to work for it. This is a difficult phase in my career that I have to go through.
“I have not yet spoken to the coach. The team is doing well, so I understand that you are not going to change. I have to give everything and then my opportunities will come. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll have to look for another club.
“I’m young, I want to play. Especially with the upcoming European Championship in mind.”
‘I was disappointed’
Vranckx must overhaul the likes of Orel Mangala, Youri Tielemans and Andre Onana if he is to force his way into Tedesco’s plans ahead of Euro 2024. The chances of that happening will be next-to-none if he continues in his benchwarming role at the Volkswagen Arena.
