Auxerre submit €4m bid for Westerlo midfielder Piedfort
Negotiations reported at an advanced stage for the 21-year-old Belgian international, who has already agreed to personal terms with the Burgundy-based side.
AJ Auxerre have formally submitted a €4 million bid to Belgian club KVC Westerlo for 21-year-old defensive midfielder Arthur Piedfort, according to reporting by journalist Sacha Tavolieri. The offer marks a significant step in the recruitment strategy of the French club, which is currently restructuring its squad under new management.
The transaction is reported to be at an advanced stage, with an agreement between the two clubs expected to be finalised shortly. Crucially, Piedfort has reportedly given his approval to the move, indicating that personal terms have been settled with the Burgundy-based institution. This alignment of player and club interests typically accelerates the administrative process required to complete a transfer.
Piedfort has established himself as a key figure for Westerlo, having started in 35 of the 37 matches he participated in across all competitions during the 2025–26 season. His performance metrics for the campaign included three goals and three assists, demonstrating his utility in both defensive stability and attacking transitions. The PSV-trained midfielder also holds four caps for Belgium’s Under-21 national team.
The potential arrival of Piedfort represents the second summer signing for AJ Auxerre under manager Will Still. The Belgian coach, who shares a nationality with the midfielder, previously managed Westerlo, providing a pre-existing tactical familiarity between the manager and the player. This connection is viewed as a stabilising factor in the integration of the new recruit into the Auxerre system.
The first addition to Still’s squad was the arrival of 18-year-old Chinese forward Xiangxin Wei, transferred from MZ Hakka. The sequential recruitment of Wei and the pending acquisition of Piedfort signals a clear direction for the club’s summer window, focusing on young talent with international experience.
While the bid has been lodged and player consent secured, the deal remains contingent on the final agreement between the clubs. Official confirmation from AJ Auxerre or KVC Westerlo has not yet been issued, leaving the transaction in the final stages of negotiation rather than as a completed administrative fact.
