At €400k, Kosovo’s Arbnor Muja could be the bargain buy of the Pro League season | OneFootball

There was plenty of scepticism about when Antwerp announced they had signed Kosovan winger Arbnor Muja for €400k, especially when the transfer came after the player had played against the Great Old for FC Drita. Initially, this scepticism look well placed, as the winger looked lost in early matches, snatching at chances and making wrong decisions in the final third.

However, as the season has progressed, the winger has proven the doubters (including myself) completely wrong. At the weekend he scored the sides winner, a stunning long range strike, to keep them very much in the title race.

This was the 24-year-olds third goal of the season, which goes alongside his two assists. What has impressed the most about Muja has been his lack of fear on the ball. The winger is always looking to attack and carry the ball forward, even if sometimes that leads to making the wrong decisions. Most importantly, he has impressed his head coach Mark Van Bommel. After coming into the side due to injuries, the young Kosovan has gone on to start 15 matches as the former PSV head coach appears to trust Muja over others.

For example, the rise of Muja saw the side happy to allow Viktor Fischer to depart for Sweden. Yet, they have just announced the signing of Swedish international Jacob Ondrejka from Elfsborg. Given Muja’s performances of late, it is unlikely that he will be the one under pressure from the new man. Instead, Michel Ange Balikwisha, the big signing from Standard Liege a few seasons ago, has seen his place in the side come under threat.

Antwerp fans will be hoping Muja can add to his goal tally during the play-offs as they chase a first Pro League title since 1957. Regardless, at just €400k, Muja is certainly up there as the bargain buy of the season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson