Last week, claims from the English media had stated Arsenal have entered the chase for Royal Antwerp rising star Arthur Vermeeren.
Sport have relayed it and then give their own take on this case as Barcelona are also in the picture for the 18-year-old.
Xavi Hernández and his side were able to look at the midfielder closely in their Champions League win over the Belgian club, and were pleased with his display.
Prior to the match, it’s said Royal Antwerp sporting director Marc Overmars had talked about the player with the Blaugrana officials.
Arsenal seem to be willing to pay a ‘fairly high price’ of €20m for Vermeeren in January, and Sport say Barcelona ‘cannot and doesn’t want to spend’ this fee due to their economic conditions. This would come as a boost for the Gunners in the transfer race.
They add Xavi’s side are considering other options but will continue to keep an eye on the Belgian’s situation.
It’s explained that Mikel Arteta is pleased with Vermeeren’s profile and believes he has the ‘positional sense’ that the Arsenal manager had during his playing career.
With regards to Barcelona, Mundo state it’s difficult for them to sign the teenager because they are focusing on registering Vitor Roque in January.
Royal Antwerp have lost both their Champions League games and are bottom of the table, trailing both FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk by three points, and Barca by six points.
If they were to finish fourth, Mundo suggests Overmars could be ‘less obligated to not let him go’ in the winter market.
This would be another factor that favours Arsenal but makes it difficult for Barca to sign Vermeeren.
Both Sport and Mundo make no mention if the Belgian is open to joining Arsenal in the winter market.
