Hoffenheim Ready to Break Transfer Record for Anderlecht Midfielder Nathan De Cat

Nathan De Cat, the Anderlecht midfielder, is being linked with a move to German side Hoffenheim, which is reportedly prepared to break its transfer record by offering up to €20 million for the 27‑year‑old. Hoffenheim, owned by SAP co‑founder Dietmar Hopp, has never spent more than €18 million, the amount paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Adam Hlozek in August 2024. The German club previously bought Belgian defender Stanley Nsoki from Club de Bruges for €12 million in the summer of 2022, showing its willingness to invest in Belgian talent. Nathan De Cat’s market value is listed at €27 million by Transfermarkt, exceeding the €20 million ceiling Hoffenheim is prepared to meet. Earlier speculation in November linked De Cat with prestigious clubs such as Bayern Munich, though those names remain speculative. De Cat’s recent visit to Paris included a tour of the Parc des Princes, home of Paris Saint‑Germain, the reigning Champions League winners. Hoffenheim’s recent squad includes Ivorian forward Bazoumana Touré, valued at €40 million, though the club previously spent only €10 million to acquire him from Hammarby. Kosovar striker Leon Avdullahu, valued at €30 million, was bought for €8 million from FC Bâle, indicating Hoffenheim’s pattern of paying below market price. Former Union Berlin midfielder Fisnik Asllani, with a €35 million valuation, also joined Hoffenheim from Union Berlin, though his fee is not disclosed. Anderlecht’s new sporting director Antoine Sibierski faces a dilemma, as losing a key midfielder for €20 million may not fund the club’s broader sporting projects. Hoffenheim qualified for the Europa League, offering De Cat the chance to play European competition, unlike Paris FC, which will only contest the domestic league and Coupe de France. Paris FC’s ownership includes the Arnault family of LVMH and a strategic partnership with Red Bull, but the club’s recent activities have not involved a transfer for De Cat. Hoffenheim’s squad also features goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who could have represented Germany at the World Cup without Manuel Neuer, and Croatian forward Andrej Kramaric. Japanese defender Koki Machida, known for scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Belgian Cup final with Union, is another experienced player in Hoffenheim’s roster. Should the transfer materialise, De Cat would join a side competing in Europe, potentially accelerating his development beyond the domestic Belgian league.