Andreas Schjelderup is taking Club Brugge to the limits, to the point that in Belgium there is already discussion about whether the emblem will make the biggest investment in its history, surpassing the €16 million paid to Benfica, in 2022, for Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk.
The club’s CEO, Bob Madou, and the director of football, Dévy Rigaux, were in Lisbon and returned to Belgium without an agreement reached with the Reds, but that did not mean Brugge gave up on signing the 21-year-old Norwegian international winger.
Club Brugge qualified, like Benfica, for the UEFA Champions League play-offs, is determined to strengthen the squad and will be willing to spend a lot of money, especially in light of Schjelderup’s appreciation, after scoring two goals in the victory (4-2) over Real Madrid.
“I think a few million were added this week [ao custo do futebolista]», said Franky Van der Elst, historic player for Club Brugge and the Belgian national team, on the program Frank and Franky. “He scored two goals against Real Madrid and they were two beautiful goals. He’s more of a Tzolis-type player, less of a winger like Forbs and Diakhon,” added the now 64-year-old coach.
“Isn’t it accessible anymore? It’s not known. If they sell Tzolis for 35 million euros, maybe they can pay another million, or three or four for Schjelderup,” added the former Belgium international.
Club Brugge, it should be noted, is in a hurry, as the market in Belgium closes this Monday (Portugal only closes the following day), but Benfica is also urgent to ensure that it does the best for José Mourinho’s squad.
Before the game with Real Madrid, Club Brugge and Benfica would be separated by €3 million — the Belgians offered €8M+€3 M in bonuses, Benfica demanded at least €11 M, plus other contractual benefits —, now they will be separated by more. Perhaps too much for Club Brugge, who could still return to the attack in the summer if they fail now. Schjelderup has long been followed by the Belgians and had already given a positive opinion regarding the change. Now, however, he will be protected by José Mourinho, at least until the game with Tondela.
If the game with Los Merengues had gone badly, Rafa would already be the undisputed owner of the left, but Schjelderup preferred to give the Benfica coach something to do. And to Club Brugge.
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