Arsenal’s first January signing as Arteta beats Man Utd, Liverpool and Barcelona to UCL midfielder
Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren is a target for Arsenal
Arthur Vermeeren is an Arsenal target
Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a move for Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, claiming the deal will be completed before January officially opens.
The Gunners are back near the top of the Premier League table and will be hoping for another boost in the second half of the season. Last time out, and despite Arsenal leading the table for much of the season, Manchester City eventually overtook Arsenal to claim their third title in a row and fourth in five seasons.
To ensure his side can keep up the pace this time around, boss Mikel Arteta knows the importance of a solid January window to boost his side’s glory prospects. To that end, the Gunners are already at the planning stage for the winter window with the addition of two big names. On that note, and despite the controversy, Arteta is looking to add another big-name striker to his ranks as he looks to add a clinical element to his attack. To that end, Brentford’s Ivan Toney remains a firm target, although reports on Thursday also point to Arsenal’s £40m RB Leipzig striker.
However, Arteta also wants to add to his midfield and especially in light of speculation about Jorginho’s future. The Italian midfielder joined Arsenal from Chelsea last January for £12 million. Having only signed an 18-month contract, however, that deal will expire in the summer and there are rumors that a move could be on the cards. Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Arthur Vermeeren
And while Arsenal have a one-year option on Jorginho’s contract, a decent offer could see them acquire his services.
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The teenage star earned rave reviews in his homeland to help Antwerp to their first domestic league title in 66 years.
It gave the club a path to the Champions League, where Vermeeren continued to impress despite his side losing all three games so far.
Interest in the 18-year-old has come from far and wide, with Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool closely monitoring his progress.
However, reports in Spain claim that Arsenal are closing in on signing Arteta and Co to activate the signings before the window officially opens. They seem convinced that the player, despite his tender years, is ready to become a major league star.
Arteta wants to sign Vermeeren and push Declan Rice into a more attacking midfield role, believing the teenage star can support the defense and give the club’s record a more attacking style.
The box-t0-box midfielder has a great engine and has already played 53 times in the top flight.
It has also been reported that Arsenal will have to pay just €15m (£13.1m) to sign Vermeer – a fee that is well within the Gunners’ reach and could prove a bargain in the coming years.
Overmars compares Vermeeren with Xavi and Iniesta
Former Arsenal winger Marc Overmars is Antwerp’s director of football and he knows what a special player his club has. He compares him to not one but two legendary Barcelona stars. “I have no doubt that Vermeeren can play [for Barca],” Overmars told FCBN in September. “Like Xavi and Iniesta… Vermeeren has the same profile.”
Former Tottenham man Toby Alderweireld is also on Antwerp’s books and he also likes what he sees in the teenager.
“He came into the team out of necessity, but since then he has learned very quickly,” Alderweireld said. – He reads the game very well, his potential is huge. Have I seen this before? Rarely, I think.”
His career is in the early stages, but Vermeeren certainly looks more than capable, having looked out of place against FC Porto and Barcelona in the UCL. At just 18, he has a very high ceiling and Arsenal believe he can get even better training every day with the likes of Rice and captain Martin Odegaard.
And if Arsenal manage to complete the deal for just €15 million, it will be seen as quite the coup that will surely only benefit them for years to come.