KV Mechelen have been dealt a huge blow. Striker Lion Lauberbach has, according to Het Nieuwsblad, requested that the side allow him to leave in January to join promotion chasing Venezia. According to the paper, the players agent has said that a โfair offerโ is on the table and the move gives the striker a โunique opportunityโ. Lauberbach has often been criticised since joining KV Mechelen for his lack of goals, but this year he appears to have improved somewhat as the sides main striking option.
Mechelen certainly donโt want to lose Lauberbach, but if he does join Venezia they want to ensure that they have a replacement lined up for the forward. Preston and Bronby had been said to be interested in the forward, but only Venezia have put in a formal offer for Lauberbach. So far this season he has scored seven goals in 23 games, just one goal less than he managed for Mechelen in 37 games last season.
The side do have Benito Raman, who did well last season, on the books. However, he has had injury concerns and is yet to fully return to that form. Furthermore, it is clear that head coach Fred Vanderbiest likes to a more physical option up front. Perhaps they can get Keano Vanrafelghem, who joined last January, firing. The 22-year-old former Club Brugge youngster had scored eight goals in 18 games for Patro Eisden before making the switch. Hit by injuries since he moved, the forward has only played 13 games for Mechelen, scoring once.
If Venezia do manage to push the transfer through, they will be hoping that Lauberbach can play a major role in their return to Serie A following relegation last season. Venezia are currently second in Serie B, trailing league leaders Frosinone by just a single point.
GBeNeFNย |ย Ben Jackson
