Moussa Dembele: Birmingham Move for £7M Creative Belgian Star
One of the brightest talents in Holland’s Eredivisie in recent seasons has been AZ Alkmaar’s attacking midfielder Moussa Dembele. The versatile 22-year-old played a key role in his club’s title winning season in 2009/10 as AZ finished an impressive 11 points clear of 2nd placed FC Twente. However, after finishing 5th and a massive 24 points behind title winners FC Twente last season, Dembele is ready to leave with Birmingham manager Alex McLeish already in negotiations.
Dembele has been linked to numerous Premier League clubs in the past with both Chelsea and Tottenham named as interested parties. However, Birmingham are reported to have made a serious bid to AZ for the exciting young Belgian international as they look to add more quality and firepower after struggling for goals last season. McLeish has already signed 6 ft 8 striker Nikola Zigic as the Blues attempt to build on last season. The Birmingham side was excellent in terms of organisation and spirit but McLeish wants the side to kick on so new offensive signings were a must.
The player’s versatility will definitely appeal to Birmingham as he is able to play up front, off the forward or on the wing and has shown a real eye for goal. Last season he scored just four goals in 29 league appearances (28 starts. However, in the club’s 2008/09 title winning season he scored an impressive 10 goals in 23 league appearances (20 starts) despite missing 3 months of the season due to a knee injury. This was by far the most productive season of his short career in terms of goals. His ability to both score and create will thrill the St Andrews’ crowd if Alex McLeish can sign him.
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The Belgian international began his career in his homeland with Germinal Beerschot but only made 20 first team league appearances (11 starts) before moving to Willem II for the 2005/06 season. In his only season with the club he scored 9 goals in 33 league appearances (25 starts) before AZ made their move. This transfer coincided with his first call-up to the Belgian national side. He has since gone on to make 28 international appearances while scoring 5 goals. Dembele also played a key role in Belgium’s 4th placed finish at the Beijing Olympics including scoring two goals in a 3-2 win over Italy in the quarter-finals.
At 6 ft 1 he is physically strong enough for a Premier League move, he is also two-footed and renowned for his shooting, passing and ability to run at defences. He would provide cover for a number of positions for Birmingham but Alex McLeish may have to move quickly with a number of clubs both in England and abroad alerted to his talents. His former coach Van Gaal is in no doubt Dembele could achieve in England.
He said, “He needs to improve but has the attributes to play in England or Spain.”
AZ technical director Marcel Brands previously named Chelsea and Genoa as two clubs who have expressed an interest. He told De Telegraaf, “I know through his agent that Chelsea are following Moussa”
“But Genoa registered their interest a few weeks ago.
The player has encouraged talk of a move when he told Het Laatste Nieuws, “I am certainly not against such a development.”
“I am indeed in a good position. I can continue at AZ, where it is excellent, or move to a foreign club.”
Alex McLeish is reshuffling his Birmingham pack with an emphasis on attacking players following the arrival of Zigic. A combination of the big Serbian and Cameron Jerome supported by Dembele may well come to fruition if Alex McLeish gets his way. A fee of £7m has been touted in the Dutch press which should not be a problem for the Blues as Birmingham look to build on a great last season.
Do you like the look of Dembele? Do you think he would improve your current squad with his versatility or would you prefer a proven star instead of a younger player with potential? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: AZ, Belgium, Birmingham, Moussa Dembele
