"25 million for Vermeeren is a bargain, he will be worth much more at Atletico"

Antwerp coach Mark van Bommel on Wednesday welcomed the imminent transfer of 18-year-old Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren to Atletico Madrid, called the €25million sale "a bargain", remarked that the player "is a natural talent" and lamented his departure from the club.

"The transfer is not yet completely finalised," the coach warned at the end of the Belgian Cup quarter-final against OH Leuven, won 2-3 without Vermeeren, who travelled with the rest of the team but was left out of the squad by order of the club so as not to jeopardise his transfer to Atletico. At the end of the match, the player said goodbye to his fans, thanked them and took photos.

Atletico and the player's agents will continue negotiations to complete his transfer. If everything is resolved in Thursday's talks, the Belgian midfielder, for whom there are more clubs interested in signing him, could arrive in Madrid on Friday.

"Arthur is a top player, we will be able to see him in a few years. He will be worth much more when he has played several games for Atletico Madrid," Van Bommel was quoted as saying by the 'Nieuwsblad' newspaper after the match against Leuven.

"Whichever club he chooses, his choice will be the best. It was a pleasure to work with such a natural talent. It's a pity he's leaving, but that's the law of football. Big teams take players away from small clubs," he added.

 

January 25, 2024