Arsenal are now reportedly interested in signing Royal Antwerp wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren in the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old has caught the eye for his club, and has also been capped for the senior Belgium National Team.

A central midfielder, Vermeeren has reportedly caught the eye of Mikel Arteta, who may look to sign him in the Winter window, but they may face competition from Barcelona.

Arsenal are interested in Arthur Vermeeren

A report from Spanish outlet SPORT has now claimed that Arsenal are pulling ahead of Barcelona in the race to land Vermeeren.

Barcelona’s financial struggles means that they will be unlikely to pay the £17m asking price Antwerp have for him in January.

Vermeeren is reportedly a huge fan of Arteta and the system which he is currently employing at Arsenal, which sees the Gunners implementing a ‘positional play’ philosophy which could really suit the teenager, who also sees Declan Rice as the ideal player to complement him in midfield.

Vermeeren’s qualities

Former Arsenal star Marc Overmars has previously praised Vermeeren, and even compared him to midfield legend Andres Iniesta.

“I do not have doubts that Vermeeren can play in the Barça. When I played here, can see like Xavi and Iniesta went growing… And now that see here to Vermeeren, have the same profile,” Overmars stated.

With Arsenal still figuring out how to replace Granit Xhaka in the advanced central midfield role, Vermeeren could be a long-term wildcard option, should Arteta decide to move for him now.

He has already made 49 appearances for Royal Antwerp, but given his age, he will still likely be raw and perhaps not ready to be a regular starter for Arsenal.

Arsenal previously signed Albert Sambi Lokonga from the Belgian League at an older age to no real success, but Vermeeren does look like a special talent, and it will be interesting to see whether Arteta decides to pursue him in January.

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