Earlier on Friday, La Dernière Heure reported Brighton & Hove Albion are getting closer to meeting Anderlecht’s €20m demand for Bart Verbruggen.
The 20-year-old is at the European championships with the Netherlands U21 squad, where he has already starred against Belgium.
Verbruggen has told Algemeen Dagblad that he’s already held talks with Roberto De Zerbi over a potential move to Brighton this summer.
The stopper insisted he’s not thinking of making his debut for the Netherlands senior team as of now. Verbruggen says he wants to “take step by step” to fulfil his dreams, which also includes winning the Champions League and the World Cup.
With regards to his immediate step for his future, he said: “I think the best path is different for each player and I don’t think it’s right for me to focus on the name of the club. Competition, style of play and the people there fit the person I am.”
“Yes, that was great. That is also the reason why I take this option very seriously. I’m just not busy with it now, because I’m fully focused on this European championship,” Verbruggen explained.
“My agents are busy behind the scenes. I don’t know the status either. As long as I have not signed, I will not celebrate anything.”
Verbruggen made his first team debut with Anderlecht in May 2021, when Vincent Kompany was in charge at the club. The goalkeeper has explained the advice he received from the current Burnley manager.
“I learned a lot from him as a trainer. He once said: ‘don’t believe the hype, don’t believe the drama’. What he means by that is if you believe the media, you are either a world class player or you can’t do anything. The truth is always in-between,” the player added.
“And if you believe in it, you can come on a pink cloud or start doubting yourself. Both are dangerous. That’s how I try to stay consistent.”
