Barcelona will go into their first UEFA Champions League game of the 2023/24 season next Wednesday against Royal Antwerp at Montjuic with various objectives.
The major goal will certainly be to defeat the Belgian champions and secure three points on the night in order to start the European adventure on a positive note.
In addition, the La Liga champions will want to get a better look at one of their midfield targets, Arthur Vermeeren.
According to SPORT, Barcelona has Vermeeren on their radar and will take a closer look at the teenage Belgian prodigy when they visit Royal Antwerp next week.
Vermeeren has already made almost 40 first-team appearances for Antwerp, who are managed by a former Barcelona player in Mark van Bommel.
The report claims that Barcelona watched the teenager in action for the first time in January earlier this year and were hugely impressed.
Since then, scouts from the club have watched him live on two more occasions while technicians have been going through footage of the player at the club.
Now, they will get a good chance to take a close look at the teenage midfield prospect when Barcelona and Royal Antwerp lock horns next week.
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According to Barca Universal reports, Barcelona director Deco likes Vermeeren as a long-term solution for the pivot midfield role.
While Oriol Romeu has been roped in by the Catalans, the Spaniard will be turning 32 years old in a couple of weeks.
So, it makes sense for Barça to keep an eye out on long-term options, with Vermeeren emerging as one.
The 18-year-old’s market value stands at €17m, but he could command a higher fee as his contract runs until the summer of 2026.
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