Anderlecht coach Felice Mazzu is ‘very happy’ to see Bart Verbruggen stay at the Belgian outfit after a move to Vincent Kompany’s Burnley broke down, speaking to Walfoot.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper was reportedly on his way to England in order to undergo medical tests before signing a long-term deal. But, just 24 hours later, everything collapsed.
Some have suggested it was down to problems with Verbruggen’s work permit. Others claimed that Burnley simply failed to reach an agreement with Anderlecht.
According to Mazzu, however, the decision to stay at the Belgian giants was made not out of necessity but out of desire.
Burnley sign Muric after Verbruggen deal collapsed
“Bart has decided to stay with us,” says Mazzu, who takes Kompany’s place in the Lotto Park dugout. “For different reasons.
“We are naturally very happy within the staff because he is a great talent at the club. Negotiations with Burnley? None of this concerns me: I only care about the player.”
Burnley, then, found themselves in a race against time as they looked to bring a new shot-stopper to Lancashire. Their Championship opener against Huddersfield Town is now just seven days away.
Following the departures of Wayne Hennessey and Nick Pope to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United respectively, the Clarets were at risk of being left with just two senior options between the sticks. And neither Will Norris nor Bailey Peacock-Farrell will fill supporters with too much confidence.
So the subsequent arrival of Arijanet Muric in a £3 million deal from Manchester City on Friday afternoon could hardly have come at a better time.
“We’re delighted to welcome Arijanet to the squad,” Kompany beams. “He’s a player who has made great progress over the last few years and we’re hoping he can continue that here at Burnley Football Club.
“He’s a tall and strong goalkeeper with lots of qualities, that will be a nice addition to our team of goalkeepers.”
Muric is the third City youngster to join Burnley this summer, after defenders CJ Egan-Riley and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
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