Ex-Arsenal midfielder Jeff Reine-Adelaide linked with shock transfer after £20m move

Jeff Reine-Adelaide has tried to rebuild his career in Belgium with RWD Molenbeek this season following a frustrating four years at Lyon after his £20million move

Former Arsenal midfielder Jeff Reine-Adelaide has been linked with a stunning return to England when his contract expires at Belgian side RWD Molenbeek this summer.

Reine-Adelaide, 26, who started his senior career at the Gunners, joined Molenbeek last September on a one-year deal with an option of a further 12 months. He had spent the previous four years - which included a number of loan spells - at Lyon after the Ligue 1 side signed him for £20million from Angers.

After two Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries hampered his time at Lyon, Reine-Adelaide moved to Belgium to resurrect his career and he had become a regular in the Molenbeek side during the first-half of the season. He regained his place in the side for the run-in after a minor injury and a red card, starting five successive matches as captain in the Pro League relegation play-offs.

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However, Reine-Adelaide suffered a nasty-looking concussion against Charleroi last month - an incident that ruled him out of the final game of the season. Although it hasn't been confirmed whether the year option in his contract has been activated, Reine-Adelaide could therefore be a free agent this summer.

That has since sparked shock rumours that Reine-Adelaide could make a return to England with League One outfit Burton Albion. The Brewers, who appointed former Chelsea coach Mark Robinson as their new boss on Tuesday, were sold by chairman Ben Robinson to Nordic Football Group earlier this week.

It would be a complete surprise if Reine-Adelaide did decide to drop down to the third-tier of English football considering his talent and ability when coming through at Arsenal.

The former France Under 21 international progressed through the youth system at the Emirates and made his first-team debut in January 2016, coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup. He made eight senior appearances for the Gunners in total, with the last of those against Sutton United in February 2017.

Reine-Adelaide was sent out on loan to Angers in January 2018 before joining the club on a permanent deal from Arsenal in the summer. He impressed in his first full season at Angers before being sold to Lyon for a fee in the region of £20m. However, his career has stalled since.

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