Standard's Winter Transfer Window: Ivan Leko Arrival and Player Contract Situations

2024-01-06 10:40:00

Standard has announced the arrival of Ivan Leko and is starting its winter transfer window. Several players are in a particular sporting and/or contractual situation and could change direction soon.

Standard is not doing well. This is generally the observation that we can draw from the first part of the Rouches season. 9th in the Pro League standings, Standard is 9 points from the top 6 and is only 2 points ahead of the red zone.

The work that will have to be done Ivan Leko is unsurprisingly substantial. This is also the case for the sports director, Fergal Harkin. The manager will have several issues on the table to resolve this winter.

In defense: Laifis and Bokadi

Kostas Laifis et Merveille Bokadi are locker room executives. While the former has been fielded in every game by Hoefkens since his return, the latter is a pillar and is very important in central defense alongside – or instead of – Vanheusden.

Both players are at the end of their contracts in 6 months. They no longer bring satisfaction. A departure this winter is very likely. In this case, the club will have to strengthen because Leko would lose two important players in its 3-player defensive system.

Middle: Alzate and Hayden

Let’s start with the case of Steven Alzate. The Colombian midfielder was an indisputable starter and survived several times in a Standard that was too often moribund. Alzate feels good at Standard and Leko will no doubt want to build his system around him. But now, the player’s contractual situation is complicated. He is out of contract with Brighton at the end of the season. The English club wants to repatriate him and then sell him. He was recently offered to Rangers. A departure is likely, and would be a big blow for Standard.

The case ofIsaac Hayden is quite different. The Englishman arrived this summer on loan from Newcastle. He was supposed to bring his important experience, but he disappoints. Some rumors reported that the player was unwell in Belgium, which he refuted.

Newcastle would like to break Hayden’s loan and find him a way out. Several Championship clubs are said to be interested. Fergal Harkin confirmed the likelihood of Hayden leaving this winter. Standard is currently in discussions with Newcastle.

En attaque : Ohio and Perica

The first part of the season Noah Ohio at Standard was very complicated. The young Dutch striker has not managed to confirm the great promises made last season. Almost not playing under Hoefkens – only 2 starts in the Pro League -, he explained that he was going through “the most difficult period of his career”.

Quoted from Genoa, Ohio seems very close to a loan to FC Utrecht, in the Eredivisie. Finally, let us not forget the situation of Stipe Perica. The Serbian has never convinced Hoefkens and will undoubtedly be looking for playing time…far from Standard.