Rising Star De Cat Attracts Attention from Bayern and Dortmund

Few teenagers in Europe have garnered as much attention as De Cat, with both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund viewing him as a promising midfielder worthy of early investment. According to Sky Sports, both clubs have intensified their scouting efforts, attending multiple matches this season as the 17-year-old has established himself as a permanent starter at Anderlecht. They are among many elite teams keeping a close watch on his development.

Bayern’s transfer executives, Max Eberl and Christoph Freund, are spearheading the interest in De Cat. They admire his tactical maturity, ability to control the game’s tempo from deep positions, and his impressive physique. This combination leads them to believe he could potentially succeed Leon Goretzka or serve as a long-term anchor in Vincent Kompany’s midfield. Bayern’s interest is serious, with De Cat positioned near the top of their long-term recruitment list.

Similarly, Dortmund, renowned for identifying and nurturing exceptional young talent, view De Cat with equivalent urgency. Aware of Bayern’s pursuit, they see the Belgian as an ideal fit for their tradition of developing high-potential midfielders who excel in a fast, transitional system. Their scouting department has monitored De Cat since his Europa League debut at the age of 16, and the club is prepared to compete vigorously for his signature.

As of now, neither club has made a formal bid, as Anderlecht maintains a strong position regarding their young star. However, Bayern and Dortmund have moved beyond preliminary observations into serious evaluation, convinced that they are pursuing one of Europe’s next top midfielders.

De Cat’s journey began at KV Mechelen, where his potential was quickly recognized, leading to his entrance into one of Europe’s most esteemed academies at just 10 years old. He ascended the ranks at an impressive pace, making his professional debut for RSCA Futures in February 2024 at the age of 15, becoming one of the youngest players in Belgian professional football history. By October 2023, he had already signed his first senior contract, and in February 2025, at 16 years and seven months, he made his Europa League debut, showcasing a composure and maturity beyond his years.

During his time with Anderlecht’s youth academy, De Cat participated in 33 matches, scoring three goals and providing four assists. His defensive recovery statistics and positional discipline are notably advanced for a teenager, reinforcing his reputation as a deep-lying playmaker with exceptional tactical understanding.

His breakout moment arrived in May 2025 when he netted his first professional goal during the Belgian Pro League Champions’ Playoff against Royal Antwerp. Now fully integrated into Anderlecht’s first team, he has already recorded 14 league appearances this season, contributing one goal and one assist. His recent call-up to the U-17 World Cup further underscores his rising trajectory, with significant opportunities ahead and Europe’s top clubs closely monitoring his progress.

The 17-year-old possesses a unique combination of qualities that Bayern and Dortmund seldom find in a single teenager, including tactical intelligence, composure, physicality, and elite ball circulation. His profile enables him to seamlessly fit into either team’s system.

At Bayern, Kompany’s philosophy emphasizes dominant possession, vertical progression, and structured build-up. The coach has a proven track record of developing young talents, with Lennart Karl being a recent example of a youth player transformed into a reliable contributor under his guidance. For De Cat, learning under Kompany, a coach adept at mentoring young defenders and midfielders, would offer a clear path for development.

At Dortmund, the appeal lies in their high-tempo, vertically focused, pressing-heavy style. De Cat’s adept ball-winning skills, precise passing under pressure, and quick decision-making would make him an ideal candidate to control the tempo behind Dortmund’s attacking midfielders.

In either setup, De Cat would not merely be another academy signing; he would be regarded as a long-term starting midfielder. This is precisely why Bayern and Dortmund have accelerated their pursuit.

Anderlecht’s campaign for the 2025-26 season has provided De Cat with an excellent platform. Currently positioned third in the Belgian Pro League, with seven wins and four draws, the club is in a strong position for the championship playoffs.

To solidify his status this season, De Cat must continue honing the skills that define elite midfielders: maintaining high passing accuracy, consistently dictating tempo, and injecting more verticality into his play. Anderlecht aims to develop him into a central figure capable of leading both defensive structures and offensive build-up.

The club’s long-term vision is clear, with De Cat identified as a future cornerstone of Anderlecht’s midfield. Their reluctance to release him for the U-17 World Cup underscores his significance to their domestic campaign, reflecting the considerable responsibility they already entrust to him.