Arthur Vermeeren’s emergence at Royal Antwerp has caught the attention of Manchester United, Barcelona and a few other clubs. After making his debut for the Belgian club’s senior team last year, the 18-year-old has been a regular this season.
Back in May, we relayed news from Spain that Erik ten Hag is in love with the midfielder and that the Red Devils had contacted his entourage. This was further backed up by Sport earlier this month, who also stated Manchester United are leading the chase.
Last week, Mundo Deportivo warned Ten Hag’s side that they may have to act fast to sign the player after the La Liga side already talked to Royal Antwerp about Vermeeren.
With multiple reports talking about Manchester United and Barca interest in Vermeeren, Gent’s Sven Kums has told Gazet van Antwerpen that he isn’t surprised with these claims, and backed the youngster to join a big club in the future.
Kums made this claim when asked if there are similarities between the Royal Antwerp player and former Barca star Andrés Iniesta.
“I can see that, yes. To perform like this at such a young age is incredible. Vermeeren is a very good but also a beautiful footballer. I don’t know what’s true about what you sometimes read about the interest of big teams, but it wouldn’t surprise me,” he said.
“He’s a type who can easily play anywhere at a higher level. He loses little balls, sees well, plays fast, and can set the pace. He has everything a midfielder of his style needs. When I watch Antwerp in the Champions League, I keep an eye on him. I don’t watch football very often, but I would watch for him.”
When further asked if he sees himself in Vermeeren, Kums explained: “I certainly wasn’t that good at that age. He’ll go much further than me, that seems clear to me. I like to see such types working.
“I didn’t used to watch a lot of football, but I would turn on my TV for Barcelona. For Xavi and Iniesta. Not that I see every Antwerp match now, but I have that with him too. You see that he scans a lot. He always chooses position wisely. You can train for that a bit, but I think you either have something like that or you don’t. And he has that.”
It won’t be surprising if Manchester United and Barcelona were to face competition to sign Vermeeren, should he continue to shine for the Jupiler Pro League side this season.
