Genk football chief says Liverpool’s £30m Brughmans deal was a surprise

Genk football director Dimitri de Conde said Liverpool’s £30m (€35m) offer for 18-year-old Lucca Brughmans, signed on a delayed deal, surprised the club two days before the English window closed. Brughmans is due to stay at Genk as first choice for 2026-27.

De Conde said Genk had hoped to earn a substantial fee for Brughmans at some point to help secure the club’s survival. He also said the goalkeeper had been on top clubs’ radar and had visited Real Madrid.