Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe have rejected a €3.25 million bid from Anderlecht for Nigerian midfield talent Anthony Dennis. The former Belgian champions had been keeping tabs on the 21-year-old for months before submitting their opening offer this week.
Despite Anderlecht’s formal approach, the Turkish club made it clear that the bid does not meet their valuation. Dennis, who is valued at €4 million on Transfermarkt, is expected to fetch even more given the growing attention he’s drawing from top European leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.
Dennis played a crucial role in Goztepe’s campaign last season, featuring in 32 league matches. His relentless work rate, tactical discipline, and ability to control midfield battles have earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young defensive midfielders in Turkey.
Although he didn’t make the final cut, Dennis was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March. That nod further boosted his profile, positioning him as a possible long-term successor to Wilfred Ndidi in the Super Eagles setup.
Having joined Goztepe in 2019 as a teenager, Dennis has steadily progressed through the ranks to become a mainstay in the starting XI. His consistent performances have not only caught the eye of Nigeria’s national team selectors but have also sparked a transfer tussle among European clubs.
Anderlecht may return with an improved offer, but they’ll need to act fast and decisively if they want to fend off rival suitors and land the energetic midfielder before his price tag climbs higher.