Marseille's 22-year-old third-choice goalkeeper, Jelle Van Neck, is suddenly a hot name on the transfer market, with HNB reporting both OH Leuven and KV Mechelen are intensely interested in signing him. This is a big moment for the former Club Brugge academy product, who's been with Marseille since 2022 but has yet to make a first-team appearance.
OH Leuven's Clear Path to Minutes
OH Leuven looks like a prime landing spot, plain and simple. They're preparing to lose their talented Belgian goalkeeper, Tobe Leysen, in this transfer window. They see Van Neck as the direct replacement, which means a real, tangible chance at first-team football. For a young keeper who's spent most of his time in French football playing for Marseille B and in the academy, that opportunity is massive. It's exactly what he needs to kickstart his senior career, right?KV Mechelen's Potential Goalie Battle
KV Mechelen is also in the mix, but their situation is a bit different, and maybe a little tougher for Van Neck. They want to move on from Ortwin De Wolf after Nacho Miras stepped up to become their number one last season. They're looking to bring in Van Neck to compete with Miras for the starting spot. However, Miras was one of the Pro League's better goalkeepers last season, and it's highly likely he'll remain KV Mechelen's top choice in goal. This means Van Neck would face a much tougher battle for minutes there, which isn't ideal if first-team action is the goal. Van Neck is reportedly leaning towards a move to Belgium, which totally makes sense given his background and the hunt for consistent playing time. If Tobe Leysen indeed moves on from OH Leuven, that really seems like the better option for Van Neck to finally get those crucial first-team minutes. This isn't just another transfer; it's the chance for a young keeper to finally step onto the big stage and show what he's got.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.