Beerschot consider offloading Shankland

EXCLUSIVE

LAWRENCE SHANKLAND could be poised for a dramatic return to Scotland this month with struggling Beerschot prepared to listen to offers for the forward. The 26-year-old moved from Dundee United to the Belgian side in a £1million transfer last summer. But the move has proven difficult to date, with Shankland scoring just twice in 14 appearances for the team rooted to the bottom of the league. Beerschot have had an abysmal run of form, failing to win a game since beating Genk on November 21 and having been hammered 7-0 at home by Anderlecht in their final fixture before the winter break. And with the side now ten points adrift in bottom place, the club’s hierarchy are looking to radically change their squad this

month — with the Scot on a list of players they are looking to move on. A prolific scorer throughout most of his career, Shankland’s availability is likely to spark strong interest among clubs in Scotland. He moved to Tannadice in 2019 after hitting 50 goals in two seasons with Ayr United. Then in the Championship, United had to fight off fierce competition to land the player but his 29-goal return, which helped them win promotion, made him a resounding success. But with Micky Mellon at the helm in United’s first season back in the Premiership, Shankland struggled for service and only hit nine goals. Despite signing a three-year deal with the Belgian Pro League side, the player’s struggles have continued and a parting of the ways now looks increasingly likely.