Tottenham Interested in Anderlecht Winger

By Ryan Wrenn | Nov 4, 2015

By Warrenfish (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons /

It appears as if Tottenham could use Anderlecht’s visit on Thursday for the fourth game of Europa League Group J to scout out one of the Belgian clubs’ most promising young players.

Andy Najar joined Anderlecht from Major League Soccer side DC United in January of 2013. Only 19-years-old at the time of the transfer, the Honduran international has worked his way up into becoming a regular in Besnik Hasi’s side. He made 47 appearances in all competitions for Anderlechts last term, scoring eight goals and providing six assists from positions up and down the team’s right flank.

He’s mostly appeared as a proper right winger, though has at times covered at right-back for Anderlecht – especially as Hasi has begun to prefer a 4-3-3 formation.

On Sunday, Najar started back on the wing and scored both of Anderlecht’s goals in the 2-0 win over Mouscan in Belgium’s domestic compeition, the Juliper Pro League.

Najar’s pace makes him a great option for a team like Anderlecht that works so often on the break, particularly in bigger European games. He was unavailable for selection against Tottenham two weeks ago, but is expected to play in the two sides’ rematch Thursday.

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How Najar got to be the target of one of the Premier League’s bigger sides is an interesting tale. After moving with his family to the suburbs of Washington, DC when he was 13-years-old, Najar got involved in DC United’s vaunted youth academy. He excelled enough there to be called up to the Red and Black’s first team in 2010 and proceeded to win MLS’ Rookie of the Year award.

His performance at DC United piqued the interest of several small European clubs and even the United States Men’s National Team. His residence in the States could have made him eligible for the latter, though in the end he chose to play for his native Honduras.

It seemed that Najar would be one of DC United’s biggest success stories. An extremely talented homegrown player was not something many sides in Major League Soccer could boast about in 2010.

It was not to be, however. In the first leg of DC United’s playoff tie against rivals the New York Red Bulls, Najar imploded.

With the scoreline poised at 1-1, Najar disputed a yellow card in the 71st minute in about the worst way possible: by throwing the ball at the referee. He earned an immediate second yellow and was immediately sent off.

In truth, Najar wasn’t doing terribly well in the regular MLS season prior to that spectacular level of indiscipline. He failed to score a single goal and only set up three assists all season. When Anderlecht came calling in January, DC United did not put up too much of a fight to let him go.

A lot can change in three years, however, particularly for younger players. Najar might not be a goal machine, but he’s proven himself to be a reliable presence at Anderlecht.

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Tottenham’s interest in Najar is understandable. He’s only 22-years-old and, if Transfermarkt’s valuation of €4.5 million can be trusted, reasonably priced. It’s his versatility down that right flank that might be his biggest asset. He might not start over Érik Lamela or Kyle Walker were he to move to White Hart Lane, but he’d be a valuable resort from the bench for the time being.

Ironically, how well Najar does in Thursday’s match could go a long way into sealing a move. Tottenham will just be hoping he doesn’t play too well.