A Belgian football account has suggested that Standard Liege are monitoring Danny Mandroiu, who is currently joint top of the goals and assists charts in League One.
Our exciting attacker is only 12 months into his Imps spell but has already caught the eye this season with some standout performances. He grabbed an assist yesterday, as well as a goal, to take his tally to five goal involvements in as many league fixtures. He also created the chance that led to the first penalty and has been a constant thorn in the side of opponents this season.
It’s little surprise that he’s being monitored, but the club eyeing him are a little out of left field. According to reports in Belgium, he’s being watched closely by Standard Liege, ten-time Belgian champions. It’s not the first time he’s been linked with a move to the continent – FC Twente were also interested prior to his move to Shamrock Rovers. Celtic were also thought to be watching him before he came to Sincil Bank, and if those rumours are true, it’s little surprise clubs are now reinvestigating the 24-year-old.
🔴 Le Standard de Liège suit de près Daniel #Mandroiu 🇮🇪, milieu offensif de 24 ans qui évolue à Lincoln City en League One 🏴. Le joueur a marqué 2 goals et délivré 3 assists en 5 matchs cette saison.#RSCL #Mercato
— Alexandre Peeters (@AlexPeeters55) August 27, 2023
Reporter Alexandre Peeters tweeted in his native language, but translated it said, “Standard de Liège is closely following Daniel Mandroiu, 24-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Lincoln City in League One. The player scored 2 goals and delivered 3 assists in 5 games this season.”
Firstly, it’s a huge credit to our recruitment and early-season form that European sides are reported to be interested in our players, and the more we push into the season, the more of these reports we’re likely to see. Mandroiu is an eye-catching asset, a player with the sort of skills in high demand – creativity and goalscoring. Even in non-scoring moments, such as the cross that almost fed Reeco for a third, he looks like the real deal.
Is the rumour likely to be sound? I would imagine plenty of clubs are watching Danny and a host of our other players, and that’s kind of the point. We signed him for a low five-figure fee, so if someone produces a high six-figure fee (or even low seven figure) and maybe a good sell-on bonus, then we’d have to listen.
However, I would also say there’s zero pressure for us to sell, and I doubt very much the club would want to do so this close to the transfer window closing. I’m sure Liege are likely to be aware of Danny’s talents, as a host of Championship clubs will be, and possibly others from across Europe. It’s news that a club might be looking, but there’s a big difference between looking and acting.
For the record, Liege do spend decent money on transfers; they’re not averse to splashing out in excess of £1m. I think now we’re in League One and attracting really good players to the club, we’re getting closer to seeing the club’s first £1m sale. Of course, with transfer fees not reported, we rarely find out how much a player earns us, but surely if any move is likely to earn us £1m, it’s for a 24-year-old attacker with goals and assists to his game?
I’d say watch this space, but honestly, I don’t see this developing in the next five days. In the next four months? Who knows.
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