Borussia Dortmund are moving forward with their preparations for the upcoming season, with discussions already underway regarding one of last season’s most promising young players.
As reported by Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, 17-year-old Nathan De Cat is set to leave RSC Anderlecht this summer. The young midfielder has recently toured several Bundesliga clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, as he evaluates his next move.
Reports suggest that De Cat wants to make a quick decision about his future. In addition to Dortmund, he has also spoken with RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen about potential transfers.
FC Bayern Munich have also been linked with De Cat in recent months, but according to HLN, a move to the reigning German champions might still be too ambitious for the versatile central midfielder at this stage.
On Thursday evening, further signs indicated that De Cat may be on his way out of his boyhood club. Following Anderlecht’s 3-1 win over St. Truiden, the teenager was seen walking across Lotto Park in flip-flops, visibly emotional, suggesting that it could have been his final home appearance for the Belgian side.
Anderlecht are believed to have accepted that De Cat will likely depart but are reportedly holding out for at least €25 million, a significant figure considering his current contract runs until 2027.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are in the market for a new defensive midfielder, while 16-year-old Kennet Eichhorn of Hertha BSC has been attracting attention from FC Bayern as well.
De Cat only broke into Anderlecht’s senior squad during last season’s championship play-offs but quickly secured a regular starting spot this year. As the campaign concludes this weekend, he has made 45 competitive appearances, contributing three goals and five assists.
Dortmund’s search for a defensively oriented central midfielder initially focused on Hertha BSC’s teenage prodigy Kennet Eichhorn. Sporting director Ole Book and coach Niko Kovac have reportedly already met with the youngster to discuss a possible move.
Unlike De Cat’s situation, acquiring Eichhorn would not require prolonged negotiations with Hertha, as the player has a release clause worth approximately €10–12 million. However, due to FC Bayern’s persistent interest in the teenager, Dortmund might now be reassessing their options and considering De Cat more seriously.
On Friday, Bayern Munich’s sporting director Max Eberl confirmed that the club is indeed keeping tabs on Eichhorn. “If you see Kenny Eichhorn and FC Bayern aren’t monitoring him, then we’re not doing our job. Now we have to see whether it fits and what his and his management’s expectations are. Whether it actually happens is a completely different matter,” Eberl told Bild.
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