A problem with Bart Verbruggen’s work permit played a part in the Anderlecht goalkeeper’s failed move to Championship leaders Burnley during the summer of 2022, according to Het Nieuwsblad.
Vincent Kompany’s old employers are used to drama when it comes to the future of their talented shot-stoppers.
Hendrick van Crombrugge looked destined to depart in January, eventually getting cold feet and rejecting Nottingham Forest. And the man who recently replaced Van Crombrugge as Anderlecht’s number one, meanwhile, has been at the centre of a transfer saga all of his own.
Burnley missed out on Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Kompany was keen to bring 20-year-old Verbruggen with him to Turf Moor; having handed the Dutch-born colossus his first-team bow at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
But despite offering £4.5 million up front, plus bonuses, Verbruggen saw an intriguing opportunity snatched away. Former Anderlecht coach Felice Mazzu insists that it was Verbruggen who ‘decided to stay’, but problems with the youngster’s work permit also reportedly played a major role.
“Do I not regret that my transfer to Burnley last summer did not go through? No, I’m not whining about that,” Verbruggen insists, putting a brave face on things.
“Burnley was an opportunity. But Anderlecht is also a great club with a good coach.”
Verbruggen is well on his way to establishing himself as Anderlecht’s first-choice ‘keeper, even before his 21st birthday. The former NAC Breda starlet seized the opportunity to take Van Crombrugge’s place when his more experienced counterpart suffered a brief illness a few weeks ago, and will now take some shifting.
Verbruggen has kept a clean sheet in each of his last three Jupiler League games. And it wasn’t just he who was left in limbo when a proposed switch to Turf Moor collapsed.
“This summer Anderlecht also asked me to return,” explains Maxime Delanghe, who would have replaced Verbruggen at the Vanden Stock.
“When the transfer of Bart Verbruggen to Burnley was cancelled, (my own transfer) did not go through.”
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