AA Gent wants to go far for top talent Jorthy Mocchio (15): “The sums we offered? Giant” | Belgian Football

Investing in youth was also discussed in the press conference by CEO Michel Loague and coach Hein Vanhaysbrouck about the Ghent winter market and financial figures. Al-Lawaji said: “I want to go back to 2005. One of my guys called me: ‘Can’t we do anything for Kevin De Bruyne?’ No, we couldn’t. At that time we didn’t have the resources to invest in young people. Now look. “What did we do to Malik Fofana? At the age of 15 he signed his first contract. He signed a total of three contracts with us and then made a big transfer. In other words, times have changed. We are taking steps.”

Important, because there is still extraordinary talent among the youth of Ghent. Jorthy Mokio will celebrate his 16th birthday on February 29 and AA Gent are hoping to sign him. It is not an easy matter, as major European clubs are chasing the centre-back. In particular, PSV Eindhoven, Lille, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and unnamed Italian clubs have shown interest.

RB Leipzig have already made a concrete offer, but in line with what Belgian clubs can offer. His entourage thought it best to remain in Ghent. Mokio, who was in winter training at the beginning of January, wants to continue growing with the Buffaloes. This is the ideal scenario. But then the numbers must be correct.

Louwagie realizes this too. “We're trying to convince Mokio to sign. I'm not going to talk about the amounts we've offered now. Huge.”

Hein Vanhisbrouck took over. “If Mukio signs, which we all hope, he will immediately join the first team and can be deployed very quickly. Mukio is a special case. He is a fairly mature boy for his age – and there is no problem with maturity. In the meantime, we are trying to explain to Mukio and the family “There is a place in the team. He should not hesitate. Certainly not with me. Young players with talent get opportunities from me, develop more and can take a new step in the long term.”

The trainer's general magic attack was also used in this case.

Bayern and Ajax in the (long) queue: Search for top talent in AA Gent, Jorthy Mukio, is on