Royal Antwerp’s CEO has admitted that he may be forced to sell reported Liverpool target Arthur Vermeeren in January.
At just 18-years-old, Vermeeren looks like a real star of the future. Having broken through at the Belgian champions last season, the midfielder has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
After what happened last night, those links may now grow stronger. Vermeeren was on the scoresheet for Antwerp as they secured a famous win over potential suitors Barcelona in the Champions League.
And speaking via Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws prior to that victory, CEO Sven Jaecques said that he wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to keep his wonderkid until the end of the season.
“We don’t assume it and we hope not, but there is a chance that Arthur will no longer be owned by Antwerp after January,” Jaecques admitted. “The interest in him is growing every week – logical, given the steps he has taken.
“He can leave, leave and stay for a while or just stay. If we sell him, it will be at the right price anyway. We’ll see if he becomes the most expensive outgoing transfer in Belgium ever.”
Vermeeren ready for big move
Being realistic, Jaecques must know that once a player like this comes through at a club like Antwerp, he won’t be there long.
That isn’t to downplay the Belgian side. They’re a great, historic club who are clearly in a good place right now. But Vermeeren seems destined for bigger things,
There’s a wider argument to be had about whether that’s the right decision for players who are yet to get out of their teens. Throughout football history there are countless examples of young stars who should have stayed and developed at their hometown clubs just a little longer.
But these days, that’s never going to happen.
As Jaecques alludes to, there’s a real chance for Antwerp to make big money on Vermeeren. Currently, their biggest sale was that of left-back Gaston Avilla to Ajax for around £11m.
As they continue to move on their title-winning team from last season, Vermeeren’s sale could blow that out of the water.
From a Liverpool perspective, if the Belgium international is to leave in the New Year, then it’s unlikely to be for Anfield. There is an argument to suggest that the Reds need a player like Vermeeren now. But we don’t think they’ll pull the trigger in January.
Beyond that even, we’d be a little sceptical as to whether Liverpool are serious over the youngster anyway. They already have a similar, top young midfielder in Stefan Bajcetic. Once Bajcetic is back to full fitness, surely a player like Vermeeren would only stand in his way. Nevertheless, one to keep an eye on.
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