Former Leicester City midfielder Dennis Praet has turned down a move to Burnley, as per a HITC report.
The Belgium international, who left Leicester at the end of their Championship-winning season, is close to finalising a return to his former club, Anderlecht, despite interest from several Premier League clubs, including Fulham, Ipswich Town, and Wolves.
Burnley, who are looking to rebuild after their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2023/24 season, had shown significant interest in Praet, according to the report. Manager Scott Parker, who took charge following Vincent Kompany’s departure, has been keen to strengthen the squad, particularly in midfield. The Clarets lost Sander Berge to Fulham earlier in the summer and had hoped to fill that gap with the 15-time Belgium international. However, Praet appears set to return to Belgium, with Anderlecht offering the 30-year-old a fresh start.
Burnley’s relegation last season was a bitter disappointment after a difficult campaign. Despite a promising start under Kompany, they struggled to maintain momentum and ultimately finished in the bottom three. The club’s return to the Championship has seen them overhaul the squad, bringing in younger talents, including Hannibal Mejbri from Manchester United, as they seek to make a swift return to the top flight.
Praet, who was signed by Leicester for £18 million in 2019, has been in demand, with Ipswich Town, Fulham, and Wolves also interested in the versatile midfielder. Fulham secured Sander Berge from Burnley, creating a need for a midfielder at Turf Moor.
Praet is now expected to return to Anderlecht, where he spent six years earlier in his career. Speaking earlier in the summer, he expressed his desire to “become important somewhere again” and is set to embark on a new chapter in familiar surroundings.
Who is Dennis Praet?
Dennis Praet began his football journey at Genk’s youth academy in 2003, quickly standing out as one of the top talents in his age group. His performances attracted interest from European giants such as Arsenal, Barcelona, Ajax, and Lille. However, in May 2010, Praet decided to move to Anderlecht, where he continued his development, turning down more lucrative offers to join the Belgian side.
Praet made his first-team debut for Anderlecht in September 2011 in a Belgian Cup match and soon became a key player. His talent was recognised early, as he won the best player award at the AEGON Future Cup in 2011, and by the 2012–13 season, he was a regular starter, helping Anderlecht to back-to-back league titles. In 2014, Praet played a crucial role in securing Anderlecht’s 33rd league title, scoring in the decisive play-off match.
His performances at Anderlecht earned him the prestigious Belgian Golden Shoe in 2015, awarded to the best player in the Jupiler Pro League for the previous year. Praet’s rise continued, and in 2016, he moved to Italy with Sampdoria, where he enjoyed three solid seasons in Serie A before joining Premier League side Leicester City in 2019.
During his time at Leicester, Praet played an important role in midfield but struggled with injuries. After a loan spell at Torino, he returned to Leicester and helped the club secure the EFL Championship in the 2023–24 season before departing the club in June 2024.
Writer’s View
The Clarets’ start to the 2024/25 season hasn’t been ideal. While Parker’s side has shown flashes of promise, adapting to life in the Championship has proven challenging, with the team sitting mid-table after the first few weeks. Burnley hopes that their recent signings will make a difference as they push for promotion. However, missing out on Praet will be seen as a setback in their plans to strengthen the squad further.
They took a big hit in the transfer window, and they look much weaker than six weeks ago. Praet would have been a huge coup, but given Anderlecht are in Europe, and top flights clubs wanted the player, it’s little surprise Burnley’s move failed.
Founder of The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
