Anderlecht loses chief to Sampdoria, eyes €7m Karabec

RSC Anderlecht’s long‑time communications chief Mathias Declercq has quit after five years to become communications manager at Serie B side Sampdoria in Italy. At the same time the Belgian club has identified 22‑year‑old Czech midfielder Adam Karabec, valued at €7 million, as a potential new signing.

Jesper Fredberg, former Anderlecht CEO, is already working at Sampdoria, where Declercq will join the staff.

Anderlecht now faces a vacancy for a new press manager after Declercq’s departure. Previous incumbents have included David Steegen, who currently serves as press manager for the Belgian Football Association.

Karabec is on loan from Sparta Prague to Olympique Lyon, with the French club holding an option to purchase the 22‑year‑old. Lyon’s decision on the option has not been disclosed.

Czech media report that Anderlecht has entered discussions about Karabec’s future. The player’s expected salary and transfer cost are described as high, raising questions about the feasibility of a move.

It remains unclear how far Anderlecht will pursue the Czech international. The club’s summer transfer window is already described as ‘pittige’ (tough) with several challenging deals on the horizon.

The board has already been busy handling the arrival of a technical director, a T1 and a new chairman during the same period.

The purple‑white side, as Anderlecht is nicknamed, is weighing the financial implications of the potential signing.