Arsenal are interested in a transfer for Royal Antwerp star Arthur Vermeeren. But who is the Belgium gem Marc Overmars has likened to Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta?

Well, it is TEAMtalk which reports that Arsenal are interested in the vastly sought-after Royal Antwerp product, Vermeeren. Mikel Arteta has shown a real appreciation for his potential as the Spaniard eyes reinforcements. He feels Vermeeren can help get more out of Declan Rice.

Arteta wants to sign a player like Vermeeren who can take up the defensive midfield role at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal believe Rice has a lot more to offer in the attacking phases whilst his importance grows in north London. But many sides are scouting the Royal Antwerp gem.

Along with Arsenal, Vermeeren has attracted interest from Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham and Barcelona in his transfer. HLN even reports that Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United all considered offering €30m (£26m) during the summer.

TEAMtalk now suggests that Royal Antwerp would accept just £15m for Vermeeren, though, to peak Arsenal’s interest. Even though the Reds product has a contract at the Bosuilstadion until June 2026. So, with Arsenal interested, here is everything to know about Vermeeren…

Who is Arthur Vermeeren?

Arthur Vermeeren is a player for the Belgian Jupiler Pro League team, Royal Antwerp, and is also now a transfer target for Arsenal. The Red Devils international is also a graduate of the Bosuilstadion natives’ academy. Vermeeren first joined Royal Antwerp in his youth in 2018.

Where and when was Arthur Vermeeren born?

Arsenal transfer target Arthur Vermeeren was born in the Belgian city of Lier on February 7, 2005. Lier is a municipality on the outskirts of Antwerp with a population of 37,000. He has represented Belgium’s U17, 18, 19 and 21s and made his first senior squad in October 2023.

What position does Arthur Vermeeren play?

Royal Antwerp have trained Arthur Vermeeren to play the position of a defensive midfielder since joining their academy in 2018. But he can also feature in slightly more advanced roles and has played on the right wing since leaving the academies of Lierse SK and KV Mechelen.

How good is Arthur Vermeeren?

Arsenal are showing an interest in the transfer of Arthur Vermeeren after developing into a promising defensive midfielder with Royal Antwerp. The 18-year-old talent also offers them a creative option in the engine room. But Mikel Arteta most appreciates his defensive skills.

Vermeeren is regularly reaching new heights at the Bosuilstadion as he grows in confidence on and off the field. He also featured on the 25-man nominee shortlist for the 2023 Golden Boy award beside Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala. No Arsenal player made the shortlist.

Arteta has taken notice of Vermeeren’s potential as he plays with intelligence, has excellent technique and displays precise vision. The midfielder will often see options that few players can at the Bosuilstadion. He also makes it look easy whilst moving the ball around the pitch.

Such is his potential that Arsenal hero Overmars has zero doubt that Vermeeren can play for Barcelona. The former Gunners and Blaugrana winger is now the technical director at Royal Antwerp. So, he watches Vermeeren day in, day out and sees similarities to Xavi and Iniesta.

“I do not have doubts that Vermeeren can play for Barca,” Overmars noted in September, via quotes by FCBN. “When I played here, I could see the likes of Xavi and Iniesta were growing. And now to see Vermeeren here, he has the same profile.”

Arthur Vermeeren’s stats at Royal Antwerp

Arthur Vermeeren enjoyed his first-team debut for Royal Antwerp in August 2022. Mark van Bommel also gave the midfielder his senior breakthrough before he had played for the Reds’ Under-21 side. Vermeeren recorded his U21 debut 23 days later whilst still only 17 years old.

Under-21, Royal Antwerp: 6 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists

First-team, Royal Antwerp: 49 appearances, 2 goals, 7 assists

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