Feyenoord close to signing Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte

Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte is poised to leave OGC Nice for Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord, with technical director Dévy Rigaux confirming the player has long topped the club’s scouting list, a claim made public during Feyenoord’s Thursday press conference. Dévy Rigaux, Feyenoord’s technical director, said the midfielder was “someone who was at the top of Feyenoord’s scouting list. He is someone with many qualities, someone whose personality fits the club.” He made the statement on Thursday at Feyenoord’s official press moment. Mike Verweij noted on De ’s Kick‑off podcast that Vanhoutte “convincingly said the evaluation around Robin van Persie had taken place, while there were clear signals that people had been approached earlier.” Verweij found the claim striking because it suggested a pre‑existing scouting interest that conflicted with earlier approaches. Valentijn Driessen expressed skepticism, quoting that “he simply is missing from the World Cup selection. A 27‑year‑old midfielder who is absent from the national team. Nice also performed poorly last year and he must carry Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. I am extremely curious.” Driessen highlighted Vanhoutte’s age and the Belgian’s lack of recent international exposure as concerns for the Dutch club.

Brian Brobbey scores fastest Dutch double at World Cup with 2-0 win over Sweden

Charles Vanhoutte, 27, has been a regular midfielder for OGC Nice in Ligue 1. The prospective move would mark his first transfer to the Dutch league. Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen, both football journalists, discussed the transfer on the same morning update at 08:11. Their analysis appeared in the “Studio Oranje” segment covering various football topics. Feyenoord’s interest in a Belgian midfielder reflects a broader strategy to strengthen the midfield with international talent. The update attracted four comments within four minutes of publication. The move remains subject to medical examination and agreement between the clubs. No official announcement has been made by either Feyenoord or OGC Nice at the time of reporting.