Everton are reportedly interested in signing Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker this summer, but Bruno Lage would be foolish to let the Belgian leave Molineux.

What's the word?

According to Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano: "Everton want to sign an extra quality midfielder. Frank Lampard has also Leander Dendoncker on the list, he's appreciated by board and manager. Everton, ready to explore this move in the next weeks."

The 27-year-old's contract at Wolves is set to expire at the end of next season, but Romano says that the Old Gold have the option to extend that by a further year, which would suggest that they are under no pressure to sell the Belgium international this summer.

Supporters will be gutted

Dendoncker was a regular in Lage's side last season, making 30 appearances in the Premier League, so unless Wolves receive an excellent offer from Everton, it would be strange to see him sold to the Toffees.

Since initially joining on loan from Anderlecht in 2018, the versatile midfielder has gone on to make 154 appearances for the Old Gold, contributing 12 goals and four assists.

Transfermarkt currently values him at £25.2m, so unless Everton are willing to make an offer in that ballpark, Wolves should keep hold of Dendoncker, especially considering their lack of options in midfield.

While Lage has managed to retain the services of Joao Moutinho, and Ruben Neves is looking increasingly likely to remain at Molineux, the Portuguese manager isn't blessed with a plethora of midfield options, and supporters would surely be gutted if they were weakened further by the departure of Dendoncker.

Connor Ronan and Morgan Gibbs-White could both be in the first-team picture next season after impressive loan spells but they are relatively untested in the Premier League, while Bruno Jordao has left the club to join Grasshoppers Zurich.

Wolves have made just one new signing so far this summer, with Nathan Collins joining from Burnley, and unless Lage has replacements for Dendoncker lined up, it would be a mistake to sell the Belgian to Everton this summer.

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