It is farewell season in the world of football, and not just at Premier League outfit West Ham United.
In a weekend in which Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell bid emotional farewells to life at the West Ham United – the overriding emotion being frustration, as far as Fabianski was concerned, Graham Potter irritating the veteran goalkeeper by leaving him on the bench – Mario Stroeykens appeared to say a goodbye of his own.
The Anderlecht midfielder let his emotions get the better of him when substituted off to hearty applause during Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat by Club Brugge.
Was this Stroeykens’ last ever appearance at Lotto Park?
Amid reports that West Ham are keen to take the Belgium Under-21 ace to the London Stadium, Stroeykens certainly appeared to be a man fully aware of the rumours surrounding him and the likelihood of becoming the latest Anderlecht graduate to depart for big money.
And what a way to sign off, if this was indeed to be his farewell appearance.
Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
Belgian pundit hopes Anderlecht keep West Ham target Mario Stroeykens
Stroeykens’ stunning long-range strike may have counted for nothing in the grand scheme of things – Anderlecht were already 3-0 down at the time – but the manner in which he took aim and picked out the underside of the crossbar from all of 30 yards will do no harm at all to the 20-year-old’s rapidly-growing reputation.
According to reports, Stroeykens turned down Anderlecht’s most recent contract offer.
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The youngster’s current deal expires next year, with the 34-time Belgian champions allegedly willing to accept bids in the region of £17 million.
After watching the occasion take its toll, meanwhile, Belgian pundit Filip Joos has a fairly simply solution for Mario Stroeykens.
“If he is that emotional, he should sign a new contract!,” Joos quips, speaking to 90 Minutes.
Joos accepts that Stroeykens is not quite a giant playing amongst mere mortals in Belgium – in contrast to, say, former Anderlecht captain and talisman Youri Tielemans – but goals like the one he scored against Club Brugge are proof enough of his potential.
“You can see his quality again now,” Joos explains, feeling that RCSA will live to rue failing to get that contract signed. “The question is, if you really want to grow as Anderlecht, shouldn’t you extend Stroeykens for a year?
“You can ask him to do one more year, and then give guarantees for a transfer. As a team, you also have to be able to keep someone.
“Due to all kinds of circumstances, he has not even had a world-class season. You can also wonder whether Anderlecht will find someone better. I don’t think so.”
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Belgium U21 star Stroeykens is a ‘Lucas Paqueta style’ midfielder
That rasping long-range drive was Stroeykens’ fifth goal of the 2025/26 season, to go with his six assists.
A midfielder with a goal in his locker would come in handy if Tomas Soucek goes – Leeds and Everton have held talks – while Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri believes there are shades of Lucas Paqueta in Mario Stroeykens.
“West Ham are being heavily linked with Stroeykens and yes, let me tell you, he’s a good player to follow,” Tavolieri exclusively Hammers News. “Yes it will be difficult to [sign him] as there are many clubs interested.
“West Ham would be a good club for Stroeykens to take the next step. Interestingly he is a bit like a Lucas Paqueta style of player.”