Swiss teams closing in on Belgian talents: De Lie Tudor move reportedly confirmed

The first Grand Tour of the season is still days away, but the transfer news is already flowing. Several young Belgians, including Arnaud De Lie and Lennert Van Eetvelt, are out of contract at the end of the season. Remarkably, all three look set to land at Swiss teams.

Speculation around De Lie has been building for weeks. The Belgian reportedly wants to leave Lotto-Intermarché, though the team still put a renewal offer on the table. The Bull of Lescheret then missed the 30 April deadline to respond, leaving his future unresolved.

Belgian outlet HLN broke what appears to be a conclusion to the saga on Tuesday evening. De Lie is reportedly heading to Tudor. Despite interest from Groupama-FDJ, Alpecin-Premier Tech and Soudal Quick-Step, his wage demands proved a problem.

De Lie is said to want an even higher salary at his next team, despite results that have been somewhat below expectations. Tudor, the team founded by Fabian Cancellara, are currently the only outfit reportedly willing to meet that figure.

De Lie is not the only Belgian talent out of contract after this season. Lotto-Intermarché teammate Lennert Van Eetvelt and spring sensation Tom Crabbe, who rides for Flanders-Baloise, are also in search of new teams. Interestingly, they too appear to be heading to Swiss outfits, though not all three are going to Tudor.

According to HLN, Crabbe still has strong interest from Cancellara's outfit, but Q36.5 hold the best cards. Van Eetvelt, meanwhile, looks set to land at a different Swiss team: NSN. The 24-year-old climber had appeared to be closing in on a deal with Soudal Quick-Step, but that interest has since cooled.