- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur appear to have missed out on signing wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren as he looks set to head to Atletico Madrid.
HITC Football understands that the Spanish giants have now agreed terms with Royal Antwerp for the 18-year-old midfielder.
Atletico have made their move and agreed a deal worth around £23million and the player is due in Madrid on Thursday for a medical.
Arthur Vermeeren has agreed personal terms and a five-year contract has been negotiated with the player’s representatives.
Antwerp wanted to keep the teenager on loan for the rest of the season, but sources indicate to HITC Football that Atletico want him in the squad straight away and will not allow him to stay in Belgium.
Atletico Madrid agree deal for Vermeeren
The 18-year-old, who has been described as having ‘enormous’ potential, was of interest to many of the biggest clubs in Europe.
HITC Football believes that Vermeeren was of massive interest to Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton and Manchester United who have all been regularly watching him in recent months.
There was even a point where the Gunners led the race to sign the teenager.
European giants Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco were all also on his trail.
However, Atletico Madrid have beaten all of these teams to the punch and look set to welcome Vermeeren to the club very shortly.
Picking up one of Europe’s most highly-rated players this month is a real coup and if they can manage his development correctly then they might have one of the best midfielders for years to come in their ranks.
Arsenal and Tottenham miss out on Vermeeren
It’s easy to see why both Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou wanted to sign Vermeeren.
Arsenal have been looking for a new midfielder for some time, as Jorginho and Thomas Partey are unlikely to be long-term solutions for the club.
Vermeeren’s versatility in the middle of the pitch would have made him the ideal candidate to head to the Emirates.
Meanwhile, at Spurs, Postecoglou has overseen a small revolution in both the squad and style of play in North London.
The likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie have thrived under his tutelage and several young players have arrived since Postecoglou joined the club.
Brennan Johnson, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon and Ashley Phillips are all under the age of 23 and have all signed under Postecoglou.
Vermeeren would have fitted into that trend too, but Atletico Madrid will benefit from his arrival instead.
Belgium youngster Vermeeren has the world at his feet
Arthur Vermeeren might not be a household name in England yet, but he could be very soon.
The Belgian media are very hot on him, suggesting that he could be ‘the new Iniesta, the new Xavi, the new Busquets’ if he wants to be.
Vermeeren featured in every single Champions League match for Antwerp this season, captaining the side against FC Porto in November.
He got a pair of assists against Shakhtar Donetsk but his crowning moment in the competition was his brilliant goal against Barcelona that earned the Belgian side their only win in Europe this year.
Atletico Madrid fans will be delighted that Vermeeren has already found his shooting boots against one of their biggest rivals.
Arsenal and Tottenham will be hoping they’ve not made a mistake by missing out on the 18-year-old.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
