Player agent about Onuachu, Mertens and Alderweireld: “Transfer is also an emotional process” | The stand

Paul Onuachu won the Golden Shoe last week, the Nigerian striker from Genk then repeated his transfer wish from last summer: “That is still allowed this winter. We will see what comes out of the bus. This trophy will give a boost.”

Whether the transfer will come in January remains to be seen, but a boost to the transfer value is the Golden Boot, Francis estimates. To be clear, the man is not Onuachu’s broker.

Francis: “I think that always plays a role. The Golden Shoe is a selling point after all. I don’t think it plays a role in the transfer policy or at the level of recruitment. I’m just saying: if Onuachu scores 30 good goals in a season, the scouting will see his qualities.”

“But it’s about the transfer fee and usually the board that has to approve how much he will pay for it. “Are we going to give 25 or 30?” If you can say: he has been voted the best player in Belgium. That is an emotional argument that can give an extra push in the end.”

“That doesn’t necessarily happen, but it can. A lot of transfers happen rationally, but it is also an emotional process. And it does play at that level.”

Stijn Francis is the real estate agent of Dries Mertens. The contract of the Red Devil, who has been scoring goals for Napoli since 2013, expires at the end of June. What is the situation: will Mertens stay or not?

Francis has little news from that side: “It is still a bit too early. After all, Napoli still has an option. We have to wait for them to lift it or not.”

If Napoli gives the option, the 34-year-old Mertens can stay for another year on the same conditions of the past 2 years. And that’s where the shoe pinches, Napoli wants to save. They want to keep Mertens for less money.

Francis remains blunt: “I can’t say much about it, just that he has been doing great in the important matches in recent weeks. That will play a part. But it depends on the next few months. It is still too early. “

If it’s up to Mertens, he wants to stay. Francis: “He is super happy in Naples. I think everyone knows that. If you know how he lives and how he is received there. There would be no reason to leave. Unless something happens.”

Toby Alderweireld is also in Francis’ portfolio. He exchanged the English top club Tottenham last summer for 3 years Qatar. We quickly think that he chooses the money and is going to bury himself there.

Francis nuances. He recently went to visit Alderweireld and stayed longer than expected due to corona-related circumstances: “It had been 7 years since I had been in Qatar. A perception has been created here that Qatar is a country where you cannot live and live, where life is nothing attracts.”

“My children had stayed behind in Belgium. I have to say: if they weren’t in Belgium, I found it very pleasant to live there. I think Toby also has a pleasant life there.”

“The rhythm of the Premier League is so intense. I think he is a bit happy that he has a normal life and no longer has to go to a hotel every day and be super intensive.”

“Of course it is necessary to adapt with training sessions in the evening, especially in the summer. It is very hot then. But I think it is a good and pleasant life there.”

Alderweireld is 32, why does he choose Al-Duhail and not like buddy Jan Vertonghen (34) for a club like Benfica, a beautiful club in a beautiful competition in a beautiful country? Francis knows why: “The financial factor is of course a factor. But what people underestimate: Toby is away from his 15th home. That Premier League is really grueling. Qatar is a way out to a fast family life.”

“Vertonghen is still in the Champions League. With European football there, the rhythm in Portugal is also murderous. People do not realize that murderous rhythm. Tired of going to the limit every day, your body is completely destroyed.”

“Then Qatar is a good run-up to the end of a career. So you have to see it more than just the money.”