Brighton and Hove Albion star Bart Verbruggen has insisted he’s uninterested in transfer talk, despite reports Liverpool and Aston Villa are circling.
The 24-year-old is currently – in the numbers at least – the leading goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Not only is he the first-choice goalkeeper for a Brighton side who sit second in the Premier League heading into this international break, he has also played a major part in that.
No goalkeeper in the Premier League has kept more clean sheets to date – seven – and he’s also outperforming his teammates when it comes to show-stopping and even passing accuracy.
The goalkeeper now appears to be entering his prime, having long been eyed as one of the potential future goalkeeping stars. And other Premier League sides are taking notice.
A report this week insisted that Aston Villa and Liverpool both have their eye on the Brighton star. Liverpool need a replacement for Alisson, while Aston Villa Zion Suzuki has already been linked to the likes of PSG and Real Madrid after his flying start to life in the Premier League.
Transfer talk
Verbruggen isn’t paying attention to any transfer talk, though. He thinks that could be a dangerous game for him.
“Right now, things are going really well for us at Brighton, so it would be a real shame to ruin that by living in the future in your own head,” he said.
“I try to stay in the moment and focus on what’s happening right now. I enjoy that, and it’s also how I perform at my best.
“But I think that’s an assessment you make when the time is right. And that time is definitely not now.
“If you start living in the future or the past, I believe your performance suffers. So, I try to steer clear of that. For now, life is good.”
Brighton form
That’s not to say the goalkeeper isn’t aware that he and Brighton are in the form of their lives. But again, he doesn’t want to focus on it too much.
“I feel like I’m in a good rhythm and have found some great form,” he added.
“But, of course, when a team is performing well, it’s easier for individuals to shine. It’s always a great feeling to play well and reach a high level.
“But you’re in the middle of such a hectic season, so you try to focus on what’s immediately ahead and what you can do from one day to the next.”
Attention instead turns to the international break. He’s long since established him as the Netherlands’ number one. Now, though, he has to impress a new manager in Spanish legend Xavi.
“The previous national team coach, Ronald Koeman, expressed full confidence in me. And the new manager also made it clear during the last international break that I am his number one,” he concluded.
“That’s really great; such trust is good for anyone, and it’s certainly good for me, too.
“Naturally, Xavi has brought in his own ideas, and he’s very clear about them. You really get the sense that we’re building something. Hopefully, we can continue that this week.”
