Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht have intensified their pursuit of Super Eagles prospect Anthony Dennis, who has emerged as one of head coach Eric Chelle’s new discoveries, Soccernet.ng reports.
Following the rejection of their initial €3.25 million offer by Turkish club Göztepe, Footy Africa reveals that Anderlecht are preparing a second bid worth €4.5 million, inclusive of performance-based add-ons, in hopes of landing the talented Nigerian midfielder.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise since joining Göztepe in July 2023. His consistent performances earned him a contract extension until 2027, and he recently caught the eye of Super Eagles selectors.
Chelle, in March, named him in a provisional list of 39 players for this month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Göztepe, however, are not eager to let their prized asset go cheaply. The Turkish outfit reportedly values the midfielder at €5 million and are under no pressure to sell, having secured his long-term future just last month.
Despite the financial gap, Anderlecht remain optimistic about striking a deal, as they view Dennis as a long-term solution to their midfield setup.
Born on June 21, 2004, in Kaduna, Nigeria, Anthony Dennis is a disciplined defensive midfielder known for his high work rate.
Standing at 1.79m, the right-footed youngster is represented by Elite Project Group and currently plays for Turkish outfit Göztepe.
Dennis joined Göztepe on July 1, 2023, and quickly became one of the team’s most valuable assets, which prompted the club to offer him a contract extension in May 2024 that ties him down until June 30, 2027. His market value currently stands at €4 million — the highest of his career so far.
Primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder, Dennis is also comfortable operating in central midfield. His performances in the Turkish second tier have not gone unnoticed, with scouts from top European clubs regularly monitoring his progress.
Can Dennis Become a Super Eagles Regular?
Anthony Dennis’ rise has been promising, but securing a permanent spot in Nigeria’s star-studded midfield will require consistent top-level performances and adaptability.
Eric Chelle’s willingness to test new players during friendly matches—including the Unity Cup—suggests that Dennis is firmly on the radar.
His ability to break up play makes him a unique profile, especially at a time when the Super Eagles are looking to build squad depth ahead of AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.