Club insiders think Liverpool could hijack Barcelona’s bid to sign their 18-year-old wonderkid

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Liverpool are one of the clubs ready to rival Barcelona for Royal Antwerp youngster Arthur Vermeeren.

Vermeeren looks set for a big career in the game having broken into the Antwerp first-team last season. Just 18, the midfielder has already made his senior debut for the Belgian national team.

Boasting a silky style of passing play, it’s no surprise to see Vermeeren being linked with sides like Barcelona. But according to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants aren’t the only team looking to snatch the Belgian.

Although it’s claimed that Barca have been ‘controlling’ the race for Vermeeren for a whole year, they reportedly now have strong competition.

With Liverpool and Manchester United both said to be ‘keeping an eye’, sources from Antwerp have reportedly ‘warned’ Barcelona that other clubs are ready to bid for their wonderkid.

The Belgian champions are claimed to be expecting to bank £17-22m for the sale of Vermeeren.

Liverpool ready for Vermeeren hijack

As Liverpool look to complete their midfield rebuild over the coming months, we can’t rule out a move for Vermeeren. The 18-year-old looks like a quality player destined to reach the top.

However, for what the Reds need just now, we don’t quite see how he fits the bill.

As the whole world and his dog know, Liverpool are currently looking for a starting defensive midfielder.

Although Vermeeren has played that role for Antwerp, he probably isn’t ready to go straight in and do the job for Jurgen Klopp.

With Alexis Mac Allister doing a fine impression of a holding midfielder so far this season, some will say that’s fine, bring the young man in and let him learn.

But although Mac Allister has done well, there’s still a suspicion that a top specialist No.6 could really take Liverpool to the next level.

In some years, perhaps Vermeeren will be capable of that. But for the time being, we don’t see the Reds troubling Barca.

Further down the line they may shoot themselves for that. Right now though, the timing isn’t quite right.