Club Brugge looking to KV Mechelen’s Gaëtan Coucke as Simon Mignolet back-up | OneFootball

Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that Club Brugge are interested in Gaëtan Coucke of KV Mechelen. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is about to enter the final year of his contract and negotiations between the club and player have so far not been able to find common ground. Club Brugge would like to bring Coucke over as a back-up to current number one and former Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

The former Belgian champions recently lost goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who joined newly crowned Belgian champions Antwerp for free. In the January transfer window the side signed Josef Bursik from Stoke City, although if they are seriously interested in Coucke it begs the question as to where Bursik will now be in the goalkeeping pecking order.

For Coucke, he will have to make a decision about whether or not he wants to play second fiddle to Mignolet. During last summer there were plenty of sides interested in the 24-year-old after a strong season for Malinwa. However, his performances were not as strong this season which may have cooled interest somewhat. Still, there should be other options for the goalkeeper that would see him as a first choice. With just one year left on his current deal, he could look to run down the contract and sign for free next season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson