Belgian wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren responds to Manchester United transfer links

The teenager is also being tracked by Arsenal and Tottenham (Picture: Getty)

Royal Antwerp youngster Arthur Vermeeren has welcomed interest from Manchester United though says there is nothing concrete in the links, while he does not want to leave in the middle of the season.

The 18-year-old’s emergence last season helped to propel Antwerp to the Belgian Pro League title and his development has continued at rapid pace this season.

He turned out six times in the Champions League, notching two assists and grabbing a first-ever goal in Europe in a 3-2 victory over Barcelona, while he has featured in all 20 of Antwerp’s league games.

A creative and precocious midfielder, Vermeeren has been scouted by a host of Europe’s biggest clubs, with the likes of north London duo Arsenal and Tottenham both reportedly interested.

Manchester United were first linked with a possible swoop back in March and remain keen now, though the teenager says there is nothing imminent and his preference would be to wait until the summer before leaving Antwerp.

Asked if he is aware of the links with United, he told Het Nieuwsblad: ‘Yes, then you get the articles forwarded, don’t you, or then my brothers will come with it.

‘The youngest in particular [Caesar, 14] is always very enthusiastic. He reads everything and believes everything immediately!

Vermeeren in action against Barcelona earlier this season (Picture: Getty)

‘Maybe that’s normal at that age, but then I tell him that not everything that appears in the newspapers or online is true.

‘All I know is, if my lawyers haven’t told me about it yet, it won’t be concrete yet.’

On what he will weigh up when deciding a new club, he continued: ‘Well, in football you never know. I would like to stay at this club for the rest of my life.

‘Okay, of course you want to take it a step further, but it is difficult to say when that will be possible. The puzzle must fit together.

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‘There are so many scenarios to take into account, because suppose you sign somewhere and are rented out, but then the coach leaves.

‘Then you suddenly find yourself with another coach who may not want you. We’ll see what happens. But I want to finish the season here anyway.’

Asked if he might go to a club like Wolfsburg first, as Kevin De Bruyne did, Vermeeren added: ‘I definitely think about things like that.

‘Germany is very good for your physical health. Serie A, that’s more tactics. In Spain it’s all about footballing ability, in England it’s about intensity… But there is no competition yet that I really prefer. It mainly depends on the teams.’


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