Blackburn Rovers' summer transfer activity was always likely to throw up unknown names and Dion De Neve is the latest.
Rovers are hopeful of making the 23-year-old their first signing under head coach Valerien Ismael. A deal is close to being agreed between all parties, with medicals and formalities to follow.
It will not be the last lesser-known player linked with a move to Ewood Park this summer as Rovers look to maximise their scouting network to find value in the transfer market.
Here's a deep dive on De Neve, as The Lancashire Telegraph looks at where he might fit at Ewood Park.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers transfer latest as club close in on first summer signing
What's his background?
De Neve broke through the ranks at Zulte Waregem, who narrowly avoided relegation in his debut season in the Pro League. He netted two goals and three assists, impressing for a struggling side.
That earned him a move to Kortrijk, local rivals of Zulte. In the past three seasons, he has scored five goals and registered seven assists for them (82 games).
The 23-year-old has eight appearances for Belgium's Youth teams after being capped at Under-16 and Under-17 level.
What's his skillset?
Looking at an array of clips, it's quite easy to see that De Neve's speed and athleticism stand out. That is key criteria for any wide player under Valerien Ismael.
Rovers want to add more pace and running ability into their side and De Neve fits the bill. His strengths are using that running power to run at the opposition and deliver crosses into the box.
De Neve's Player Chart data, via Fotmob, compares his statistical strengths and weaknesses compared to players in a similar position across comparable leagues in the past 12 months.
De Neve stands out for chances created, ranking at 75% against players he's compared against under that criteria. He is not somebody who is overly involved in the match and is capable of doing his defensive duties.
His goal-scoring numbers are not great. Last season, he scored twice from an expected goal tally of 1.2. That underlines that he's not necessarily a bad finisher but rarely gets into quality goal-scoring positions.
Where does he fit in Rovers' squad?
The 23-year-old profiles as a dynamic wing-back. De Neve is versatile and can play anywhere along the left-hand channel. He played the majority of his minutes at left-midfield but also featured as a wing-back and an attacking-minded left-back.
Whilst Rovers don't need a player on the left of defence from a numbers viewpoint, De Neve is quite clearly a different profile of player. Yuri Ribeiro and Harry Pickering are more traditional players in that position, solid defensively and competent in the final third, without being sparkling.
De Neve is more an Owen Beck profile; he has the speed and athleticism to pose problems higher up the pitch. Ismael played the Liverpool loanee ahead of Ribeiro at the first opportunity, Portsmouth (A), which highlights what he's looking for.
"The way I want to play, I need the energy, the intensity and I like those profiles," Ismael said, discussing Beck after he lasted 10 minutes in the defeat at Fratton Park.
"So, when you've got those profiles in your squad, then you can't wait to see the player to try to do the job.
"When you lose the player after 10 minutes after he comes back, then it's difficult. I was really excited to work with him, but unfortunately, it's gone the other way."
Why are Kortrijk open to selling him?
The Belgian club have just been relegated from the Pro League and are on something of a cultural reset. They have just released 16 players and are looking to 'start again'.
De Neve played 32 games, with two goals and three assists, last season, totalling just shy of 2,000 minutes in the league. He was in and out of the side towards the end of the campaign but started 67% of matches across the campaign in total.
With that in mind, it's an opportunity to sell someone who wasn't a key player for a six-figure fee. De Neve's contract ran until 2026 and so this was probably their last opportunity to recoup any money too.
Rovers see it as an opportunity to buy a player who fits the profile they need for Ismael's style of football. At 23, he has the raw attributes and it is up to them to try and develop him.
That is the model for Blackburn as they bid to try and maximise their scouting network. They signed Makhtar Gueye from the Belgian Pro League last summer, via RWD Molenbeek who had also just been relegated.
Rovers have got a transfer budget to sign players. Players from these leagues will also fit into their wage structure and won't demand the same money as players from the English pyramid.
It will be a fine balance, though. As seen in 2023/24, Rovers will also need players with Championship experience to guide those taking their first steps in England.
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