Gent coach insists Tottenham Hotspur-linked striker Gift Orban will not regret staying

Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck has insisted that Gift Orban will not regret staying at the Buffalo's after missing out on a dream move to the Premier League in the summer transfer window. 

The transfer window is still open in countries like Greece, Turkey, Russia, Serbia and Israel, but the chances of Orban departing Gent this month are non-existent as his ambition is to play for a club in the top five European leagues.

Tottenham Hotspur tested the waters regarding the signing of Orban in the recently concluded transfer window, having opened a line of communication with the player's camp, but did not firm up their interest by making an official bid to Gent.

The Lilywhites eventually completed the signing of Wales international forward Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest on deadline day. 

Orban was also a player of interest to Lille but the proposed transfer hinged on the departure of Jonathan David, which did not materialize. 

The 21-year-old, who started from the bench, was substituted out in Gent's last match against Club Brugge after Noah Fadiga was shown a red card for a second bookable offense in the 82nd minute. 

In quotes related by Voetbalkrant, Vanhaezebrouck said about Orban: "Will he regret staying? No, he will certainly get many more opportunities to play.

"The fact that he started on the bench against Club Brugge is because I have three good strikers. And the fact that he had to come off after Fadiga's red card was because Cuypers has a greater range. Gift Orban has handled that professionally."

Orban has reported for Super Eagles in Uyo ahead of a potential cap-tying game against São Tomé and Príncipe on matchday six of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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