Arsenal are looking to bring in a wonderkid compared to Andres Iniesta, as Mikel Arteta improves the depth in his side
(Image credit: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Arsenal could bring "the new Andres Iniesta" to north London as Mikel Arteta addresses his midfield this January.
The Gunners are top of the league but have had a number of issues with their midfield this season. Thomas Partey's unavailability has hampered the Gunners, as Arteta searches for a long-term option to slot in alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Former Chelsea stars Jorginho and Kai Havertz have held down the third starting place in the middle – but now, another option has emerged on the transfer market.
Arsenal's midfield has been somewhat in flux this season (Image credit: Getty Images)
Tuttomercato reports that a concrete bid is being prepared for Belgian wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren.
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Incredibly, however, TEAMtalk claimed last month that a move was "agreed", citing a fee of €15 million (£13.1m). An agreement seems incredibly premature, however, while the fee would lower than plenty of Belgian league transfers, with Milan midfielder Charles De Ketelaere currently the record at over €30m.
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Vermeeren is capable of playing as a No.6 or a No.8 and would likely be a longer-term project than the likes of Havertz or Rice, needing time to adapt. Whether Arteta would be patient enough to trust a youngster with first-team football in a title run-in remains to be seen, too.
Arthur Vermeeren is wanted by Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
Given that Arsenal have several extremely bright prospects emerging in the centre of the park, such as Myles Lewis-Skelley, Ethan Nwaneri and Charlie Patino, any player brought in this winter would have to be signed with the intention of allowing youth to bloom in coming years in that position.
Vermeeren is valued at €25 million by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
