Genk’s Adedeji-Sternberg forces a transfer soap with Club Brugge

Racing Genk have begun pre-season preparations without several key players, including Noah Adedeji-Sternberg, who has been training separately amid a growing transfer dispute with Club Brugge. The 21-year-old winger had reached a personal agreement with the league champions, a move Genk’s sporting director Dimitri de Condé only learned of through the player’s entourage.

The situation escalated after Adedeji-Sternberg’s representatives contacted de Condé to confirm his desire to join Club Brugge, despite still having a contract with Genk until summer 2028. The revelation has left Genk frustrated, as they were in active talks with the player over a contract extension.

Club Brugge’s approach to Genk has further strained relations between the two clubs. Genk officials have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the manner in which the transfer has unfolded, raising concerns over professional conduct.

Adedeji-Sternberg arrived at Racing Genk from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2024 for a fee of around one million euros. Since then, he has made 79 official appearances for the Limburg side, scoring six goals and providing six assists.

His current market value is estimated at around four million euros, though Genk are unlikely to accept an offer of that magnitude. Club Brugge view him as a potential replacement for Christos Tzolis, who has attracted interest from abroad and appears set for a high-profile move this summer.

Club Brugge are also pursuing other transfer targets, including free agent goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who left Inter, and FC Zürich midfielder Cheveyo Tsawa. The Belgian champions are active across multiple fronts as they reshape their squad.

Genk’s pre-season under trainer Nicky Hayen resumes on Monday, though it remains unclear whether Adedeji-Sternberg will rejoin the squad. The club is now assessing its options as the transfer saga continues to unfold.

The dispute has cast a shadow over Genk’s preparations, with the club yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Club Brugge’s involvement has added urgency to the situation, leaving Genk to navigate a delicate and unresolved negotiation.