Anderlecht Pursue Santi Garcia as Saliba Replacement

Anderlecht did not wait long to identify a response to the loss of Nathan Saliba. With the Canadian midfielder sold to Villarreal, the Belgian giants have turned their attention to Portugal and to one of the Primeira Liga’s most eye‑catching late bloomers: Santi Garcia of Gil Vicente.

According to HLN, Anderlecht are exploring a move for the 24-year-old midfielder, who has become the heartbeat of Gil Vicente’s side. The Portuguese club initially set the bar high, seeking a fee in excess of €10m. That stance has softened slightly, but the ambition remains clear: they want Garcia to become the most expensive outgoing transfer in the club’s history.

It would be a statement signing for Anderlecht. And a landmark sale for Gil Vicente.

From Getafe Cast-Off to Primeira Liga Standout

Garcia’s route to this point has been anything but straightforward. Formed in Spain at Getafe, he never truly broke through there, managing just a single first-team appearance. In 2024, he cut ties with Spanish football altogether and moved to Gil Vicente on a free transfer, a low-key deal that barely rippled beyond club circles.

The move transformed his career.

Garcia immediately forced his way into the starting XI, playing 30 games in his debut season. He contributed four goals and two assists, respectable numbers that hinted at more to come. The real leap arrived last season. Installed as a central figure in midfield, he delivered a genuine breakout campaign: six goals and three assists across 34 matches, combining work rate with end product and driving Gil Vicente from the middle of the pitch.

Those numbers, for a midfielder, explain why clubs with bigger budgets have started circling.

Anderlecht’s Midfield Puzzle

Saliba’s departure to Villarreal has left a clear gap in the spine of Brian Riemer’s team. Anderlecht need a midfielder who can both knit play together and carry a scoring threat. Garcia fits that profile: technically schooled in Spain, hardened in Portugal, and now entering his prime years.

The question is not whether he would improve Anderlecht. It is whether they are willing to push close to that €10m mark to prise him away.

Gil Vicente know exactly what they have. They picked Garcia up for nothing, watched him grow into a key starter, and now stand on the brink of a record-breaking sale. For a club of their size, this is the model: recruit smart, develop, sell big.

For Anderlecht, the equation is different. They are chasing titles, European football, and a return to the kind of dominance that once defined them. Investing heavily in a midfielder who has already shown he can adapt, progress and carry responsibility might be a risk worth taking.

If they decide to go all in on Santi Garcia, it will say plenty about how serious they are about reshaping this team after Saliba’s exit.