Barcelona have good reports on 18-year-old midfield talent, will continue tracking him

Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren has been scouted by Barcelona since the beginning of 2023 and if a report from Mundo Deportivo is to be believed, those sitting in the Blaugrana offices want to monitor the 18-year-old much deeper in order to reach a conclusion.

Gabriel Sans writes for the publication that at Barcelona, they are of the idea that Vermeeren is “a young player with a lot of football and talent, in constant progression.” However, it is way too early for everyone to reach a conclusion. 

The reports Barcelona have received are indeed positive and good, but the club is exercising caution and refraining from jumping to conclusions.

The La Liga champions believe it is crucial to dedicate more time to thoroughly assess the 18-year-old and his progression before making a move.

Barcelona have scouted him in past

As has been reported before, Barcelona have already scouted Vermeeren over the past eight months or so, and have watched him live in action on three occasions at least.

On January 7th, during a match against Gent, Barcelona witnessed his live performance for the first time. The team secured a 2-0 victory, with him playing the full 90 minutes while showcasing his crucial role within the squad.

In the previous season, Vermeeren participated in 40 games, primarily operating in a double-pivot role. Although he scored just two goals throughout the season, those at Barcelona have recognized his offensive projection.

As such, in his home country of Belgium, some have drawn comparisons between him and Andres Iniesta due to his exceptional technical skills.

Lot of interest in Vermeeren

Meanwhile, among the scouts present at the Royal Antwerp stadium to observe Vermeeren, Barcelona’s representative was none other than David Fernandez. 

However, he wasn’t the sole scout with interest. Clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, and West Ham also had representatives in attendance, although Manchester United had demonstrated the most substantial interest in recent months.

Vermeeren will be in action against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League group-stage encounter on September 19.

The midfielder’s contract with Antwerp runs until June 2025, and it has been suggested that his departure would come at a significant cost.