Pieter-Jan Calcoen, Jonas Withouck and David Van den Broeck
Union fans should have no illusions: it is certain that Casper Nielsen will leave the vice champion this summer. The Dane would like to take a step higher himself, as he indicated at the end of last season. And that seems to be coming in effect: there is a lot of interest, from home and abroad.
In Belgium it is gradually becoming an open secret that Club Brugge is the main candidate. The national champion is looking for immediately deployable reinforcements for the midfield and Nielsen is at the top of the wish list, but there is competition from abroad: Lazio, among others, have already made inquiries.
Club Brugge therefore wanted to respond quickly and formally reported to the Duden Park with an offer of 3.5 million euros, but that was refused. After all, Union does not intend to just let its stronghold go. Broker sources tell us it wants to capture at least seven million euros for Nielsen. A hefty amount, since Nielsen is already 28 and he is only now – admittedly fantastic – coming to the surface, but given the many interest that seems realistic.
Also Bayat involved
Remarkable: it can be heard around Nielsen that Mogi Bayat is involved in the file after Club Brugge’s offer. The controversial broker would have the job of getting the highest possible price for Union. The Nielsen camp regrets that: it thought that move was unnecessary, especially because they do not believe it has a positive influence on the negotiations with Club. No one at Union wanted to comment.
Nielsen himself is open to Club, but abroad does not deter him either. He does want a club where he can play enough: he has made the World Cup with Denmark an objective. The player himself thinks he won’t be able to go to Qatar anyway if he stays with Union, despite the prospect of European football.
Nielsen’s management has already met with Club Brugge several times. It is expected that both parties could quickly reach an agreement, but Union must also be convinced of course. Karel Geraerts, who was introduced yesterday as T1 of the Brussels team, does not take into account that Nielsen will be present when he gathers on June 20 for the preparation for the new season.
In Belgium it is gradually becoming an open secret that Club Brugge is the main candidate. The national champion is looking for immediately deployable reinforcements for the midfield and Nielsen is at the top of the wish list. But Club will not be able to win Nielsen without a fight, because there are also foreign clubs that have already made inquiries from Union. For example, Lazio has his eye on him.
Club Brugge has already reported to the Duden Park. According to some sources, it has even made an offer – chairman Alex Muzio said that there is indeed an offer for Nielsen, without mentioning the club – but that was not confirmed to us. On the other hand, Club has indicated that it wants Nielsen and that it is prepared to push for it.
World Cup as target
That will be necessary too, because Union does not intend to just let its strongholder go. Broker sources tell us it wants to capture at least seven million euros for Nielsen. A hefty amount, since Nielsen is already 28 and he is only now – admittedly fantastic – coming to the surface, but given the many interest that seems realistic.
Nielsen himself is open to Club Brugge, but abroad does not deter him either. He does want a club where he can play enough: he has made the World Cup with Denmark an objective. The player himself thinks he won’t be able to go to Qatar anyway if he stays with Union, despite the prospect of European football.
Quick agreement
Nielsen’s management has met with Club on several occasions. It is expected that both parties could quickly reach an agreement, but Union must also be convinced of course. Karel Geraerts, who was introduced yesterday as T1 of the Brussels team, does not take into account that Nielsen will be present when he gathers on June 20 for the preparation for the new season.
