Barcelona will lodge enquiry for €20 million-rated teenage midfield prodigy

Earlier today, it emerged that Royal Antwerp value Barcelona midfield target Arthur Vermeeren at €20 million, with the teenager attracting interest from several top clubs.

The 18-year-old Belgian prodigy is seen as a possible long-term solution to the pivot midfield role at Barça, with the club set to get a closer look at him today in the UEFA Champions League clash against Antwerp in Montjuic.

Barcelona to ask about Vermeeren

Now, Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo, is reporting that Barcelona will ask about Vermeeren with his agent as well as Royal Antwerp to learn about his situation and a possible transfer in the future.

The Belgian international is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the country and played a big hand in the club’s Jupiler Pro League triumph last season.

Given that Oriol Romeu will soon be turning 32, it makes sense for Barcelona to start laying out a long-term succession plan in place for the pivot position in the centre of the park.

And, Vermeeren is being seen as one of the options for the role, along with several other players, with Joshua Kimmich also understood to be on the radars.

With the officials from both clubs expected to meet in the buildup to the game, the topic of Vermeeren and his possible transfer fee will be broached.

At the same time, they will also speak to the midfielder’s agent to understand if there is any willingness on the player’s part to make the move and his future plans.

Big test for Vermeeren

Barcelona want to see how the youngster competes against some of the topmost midfielders in Europe such as Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan later tonight at Montjuic.

The Catalans have already scouted him on several occasions and have received good reports on him. But they wish to see how he competes with opponents of top quality.

As such, tonight’s game will be akin to an audition for the teenage rising star and it will be interesting to see how he fares.