'Enormous potential' - Belgium star hails Arsenal and Barcelona target
Tom Weber
- 13 Oct 2023 10:55 BST
- 4 min read
Royal Antwerp captain and former Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld believes that his sought-after teammate Arthur Vermeeren is destined for the top.
An 18-year-old midfielder, Vermeeren has caught the attention of the European elite this calendar year with his performances for Antwerp, helping them win the Belgian league last term and thus qualifying for the Champions League.
Strongly linked with Barcelona - who had a chance to watch him up close when they faced Antwerp in Europe earlier this season - Vermeeren has been touted as a potential long-term successor to Sergio Busquets, though he is perhaps too much of a box-to-box player to be 'wasted' as a defensive-minded pivot.
READ: Arsenal and Man City battle over English wonderkid
However, the Blaugrana aren't his only suitors. The likes of Liverpool, Bayern, Man Utd and Man City have also been tentatively mentioned in connection with the Belgian, while more recently Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the wonderkid.
'Enormous potential'
Toby Alderweireld, who famously won the league for Antwerp in dramatic fashion last term, has spoken about his teammate who is currently on international duty with the Belgian senior side looking to get his first cap with the Red Devils.
The defender, who knows the Premier League well from his time at Southampton and Spurs, is convinced that this 'rare' talent has all the trappings of a future top-class player.
READ: Why Jorginho could leave Arsenal for Barcelona in January
“He arrived in the [Antwerp] team by force of circumstance," Alderweireld said, "but since then he has learned very quickly. He reads the game very well, his potential is enormous. Have I seen this before? Rarely, I think.”
Vermeeren has racked up 15 appearances so far this season, scoring one goal and notching an impressive five assists from central midfield, including two assists in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite being just 18, he already boasts a total of 49 first-team outings for Antwerp.
