Orban not overpriced; Anthony cost over €80m - Gent chief fumes

Gent chief, Michel Louwagie insists that Gift Orban is worth more than the club's asking price of €30m.

Despite his phenomenal display for the Belgian Pro League side, many believe the Nigerian international is overpriced amid transfer speculations linking him with a move to the Premier League.

London clubs, Tottenham Hotspurs and Fulham are reportedly interested in the 21-year-old.

Other reports have linked him with a move to the French Ligue 1.

Orban joined the Buffalo from Norwegian second-division side, Stabaek, for just €3.3m nine months ago.

Gent chief believes the player is worth ten times the fee the club spent to sign him if a player like Anthony could cost over €80m during his transfer from Ajax to Manchester United.

“No, that has already made me angry,” Louwagie said.

“Why do Ajax and PSV sell players like Antony for €80m and others for easily €40m to €50m?

“And why should we think that €30m is too much for Orban? Even though the competition here is at least as good? Just look at how Dutch clubs are doing in Europe.

“But we are Flemish (Low Franconian) who look at each other’s plates and are jealous. Instead of all demanding higher prices and helping Belgian football progress. No, rather capital injections – €500m in the last five years in Belgium – and then complaining.

“We really need to stop doing that. Dutch clubs only had a deficit of €1m in the 2021-2022 season, while we had a deficit of €150m. They close their gaps by selling at higher prices.”

Orban has managed 26 goals and 2 assists in 31 games across all competitions for Gent.

WDN