Antwerp make $1m bid for new striker

Antwerp have already seen a number of trendsetters leave this summer and the exodus is far from over. There is no ready replacement for all those leaving. For example, the Great Old Club has already allowed George Elenikhina to leave for AS Monaco, but a new striker has yet to be signed.

As a result, Jonas de Roeck only has youngster Victor Udoh at his disposal as a replacement for Vincent Janssen. The additional option is welcome and Antwerp have been exploring the market for some time. They seem to be looking mainly at Eastern Europe.

Antwerp after Croatian youngster

Antwerp were previously linked with young Serbian Mihailo Ivanovic (Vojvodina) and are now said to be pursuing a move to Croatia. Interestingly, this is about the name itself. According to Germaniak, Antwerp have made an offer for Franjo Ivanovic.

The 20-year-old striker was born in Austria and trained at Augsburg, but moved to HNK Rijeka in 2023. There he has since managed to score fifteen goals in 48 games. But the ball is flying especially quickly this season with three goals in three games in the competition.

3.5 million offer for Ivanovic

Ivanovic is also a Croatian U23 international and is therefore highly rated. Antwerp are said to have made an offer of €3.5m, but that is not enough to convince Rijeka. They want at least €7m.

Despite the huge gap between offer and demand, negotiations between the clubs will continue. However, the transfer will not be immediate in any case. Rijeka will play Olimpija Ljubljana in the Conference League playoffs on Thursday and next week, and only after this decline will they be willing to let Ivanovic go.

💥Boom!💥
According to our sources, @official_rafc He wants @NKRijeka Striker Franjo Ivanovic! They are willing to pay around €3.5m, but Damir Miskovic wants €7.0m. Talks are still ongoing, but Ivanovic won’t leave @NKRijeka Two games ago again @nkolimpija in @europacnfleague. pic.twitter.com/bmnu9qfOxh

– Isaac Ante Sucic August 20, 2024