Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a move for highly-rated Belgian starlet Arthur Vermeeren, who has been compared to Barcelona icons Andres Iniesta and Xavi ahead of what could be a £15million January transfer. The 18-year-old has been tipped for a bright future and the Gunners will hope that can be at the Emirates as opposed to their rivals, after his recent call-up to the Belgian national team.
TEAMtalk have claimed that Arsenal have a vested interest in Vermeeren, though face fierce competition for the teenager’s signature as has also been targeted by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona, West Ham and Brighton.
Having broken through at Royal Antwerp and recently being called up to the Belgium national team squad for the first time, to replace Leandro Trossard, Vermeeren could make the next step in his development over the course of the next two transfer windows.
Such is the expectation on the midfielder’s shoulders, Vermeeren has been compared to Iniesta and Xavi by former Arsenal star Marc Overmars. The current Antwerp director of football told FCBN: “I do not have doubts that Vermeeren can play in the Barca. When I played here, can see like Xavi and Iniesta went growing… And now that see here to Vermeeren, have the same profile.”
Overmars’ sentiments were echoed by former Tottenham star and now-Antwerp captain Toby Alderweireld, who said: “He arrived in the team by force of circumstance, but since then he has learned very quickly. He reads the game very well, his potential is enormous. Have I seen this before? Rarely, I think.”
Should Arsenal land Vermeeren, he would be a long-term signing with the view of slotting in alongside Rice and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch. Should he emerge as a standout Premier League talent it could have repercussions for a number of Gunners’ stars, especially Rice who would likely see his duties reduced to being the deepest midfielder.
One of Thomas Partey and Jorginho would likely depart north London in that scenario, as both of their contracts would expire in 2025 should Arsenal take up the year option to extend the Italian’s deal.
While the likes of Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe would face further competition on the left side of midfield, at a time when the latter has been linked with a £50m move to Newcastle as he continues to receive a lack of playing time at the Emirates.
But Vermeeren, who already has a full season of Belgian Pro League football behind him, appears destined for big things according to Overmars and Alderweireld and could be the next step in terms of Mikel Arteta evolving his midfield with Rice and Odegaard.
