£15m Liverpool target urged to leave as he is ‘ready for the Premier League’

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Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is ‘ready for the Premier League’ with Liverpool, Manchester United and Burnley weighing up summer bids for the much-coveted Dutchman.

Five months ago, Verbruggen wasn’t even playing first-team football at Lotto Park.

That he is now reportedly a £15 million target for two of the Premier League’s most storied clubs – plus an ambitious, newly-promoted Burnley – is proof of just how far the 20-year-old has come in the blink of an eye.

After replacing captain Hendrick van Cromburgge as Anderlecht’s number one, Verbruggen’s outstanding form in both domestic and continental action is certainly not going unnoticed. According to reports, Liverpool and Manchester United are among his many admirers. 

Burnley too; The Clarets weighing up a potential £15 million move after seeing an approach collapse last summer allegedly due to concerns over his work permit (The Sun). 

Liverpool and Burnley like Anderlecht ace Bart Verbruggen

“I would leave in the summer. He is only 20. But he is already ready for the Premier League,” Filip de Wilde, a seven-time Belgian league champion , tells Le Soir. 

“Bart is a phenomenon,” adds Silvio Proto, who spent a decade at RSCA between 2005 and 2015.

“I went abroad very late because I really thought I would spend my entire career at Anderlecht. My family was having a great time in Belgium where I also earned a good income.

“The Purple and White are currently not offering (Verbruggen) the prospects they could offer me more than ten years ago.”

Tipped to become one of the top-five goalkeepers in world football; Verbruggen recently enjoyed a run of six successive clean sheets. He was in top form as Anderlecht knocked UEFA Conference League favourites Villarreal out of European competition.

Liverpool’s interest, meanwhile, raises further doubts about the future of Caoimhin Kelleher. The seldom-seen Irishman is reportedly considering his future after another year on the bench under Jurgen Klopp.