Transfer window recap: the key elements remain, with a stronger squad

And then it was September 1 — and the results are extremely positive. In recent months there has been much speculation in the media about what would remain after the transfer window of the successful team that won the cup last season and rolled through the Champions' Playoffs. The team’s key players are still here — all of them. All of the basic elements. The strong men. The stars. Those who make the difference. The prolific scorers.

The club was willing to cooperate in well-deserved transfers for Paul Onuachu and Jhon Lucumí, but an offer with which each side could be completely satisfied was not made. The market still has to recover after more than a year and a half of being affected by coronavirus. In the biggest competitions in Europe - the logical destination for Paul and 'Lucu' - only the absolute top clubs have opened their checkbooks to do business. As a club we are very happy and proud that our players will continue to play football with us (for at least) the coming months. They are all still on board, and other regulars like Junya Ito and Théo Bongonda may soon sign contract extensions. It strengthens our conviction that we can aim high with this selection of players.

This squad may well be the strongest that our sporting director Dimitri de Condé has assembled in his six-and-a-half years at the club. Save the unfortunate (because of injury) Simen Juklerød, all of our reinforcements have already shown that they can offer added value to the team. These additions to the club also follows the path of previous years: young footballers between 20 and 23 years old with potential for growth, a profile that fits the style of football to which we aspire, and the sort of personality that reflects the club we want to be — top work again from our scouting department.

In terms of departures, the club has also done an excellent job. It was with great gratitude that we said goodbye to someone like Jere Uronen, who achieved everything he could imagine in five years in Genk. A solution has also been found in a correct and respectful way for players who were in search of more playing time as Cyriel Dessers and Dries Wouters have switched to clubs which are historically very strong. Eboué Kouassi will try to feature more regularly in Portugal after not immediately becoming a regular in Genk owing to the fierce competition for places in our midfield.

Conclusion: it was a brilliant window for the club. We are ready to play a leading role in our own country and to progress in Europe.