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In October 2022, Antwerp had no choice but to release Radja Nainggolan. The former Belgium midfielder was supposed to be a stalwart for the storied club, but it all went wrong in his home country. First, Nainggolan was arrested for driving with an expired licence. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/inter-roma-nainggolan-banned-indefinitely-royal-antwerp-smoking-bench/blt40b75ef338462739" target="_blank">Then, a week later, he was caught smoking an e-cigarette on the bench</a>.With the 34-year-old forced out, and injuries elsewhere, Antwerp had no choice but to turn to their bench. Youngster Arthur Vermeeren was the one to ultimately fill the void.Then still short of his 18th birthday, Vermeeren impressed immensely. Nine months later, he is one of the club's most important players - and being hailed as a future star.<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>But who exactly is Vermeeren, and why are Arsenal, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund after him? GOAL takes a look at one of Europe's most promising defensive midfielders...

Arthur Vermeeren: The Declan Rice regen linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund

Football was always going to be on the cards for Vermeeren. Born in Lier, Belgium, less than one kilometre from the now-defunct Lierse SK training ground, he was identified as an intriguing talent early on.He later moved to KV Mechelen's youth side, and was developed as a centre-back for a mid-table Belgian Pro League setup. But starved of chances to play with older age groups, and keen to evolve as a midfielder, he moved down a division to struggling Antwerp. It was a decision that few would make, especially as Antwerp had only recently been promoted from the second division - and been out of the top flight for 13 years.But it proved to be a prudent choice, as the Pro League side were happy to deploy Vermeeren as a defensive midfielder, and offered him opportunities in his preferred position.

Where it all began

The Covid-19 pandemic had an immense impact on many top youth players in Belgium. Some leagues shut down, while nationwide scouting networks were limited. It led to some promising talents seeing their opportunities for the national team limited.Vermeeren, though, enjoyed a stroke of luck. Belgium U17s coach David Penneman came across the youngster thanks to a tip, and took in Antwerp's U18 game against Charleroi.He was immediately impressed, and brought the relatively unknown midfielder into the youth national team setup - despite the presence of a number of highly rated No.6s in the group."Arthur solved problems before they could be imagined, by constantly scanning the environment and playing football efficiently. He thought two steps faster than the rest," Penneman told <a href="https://footballtalentscout.net/2023/01/23/arthur-vermeeren/" target="_blank">Football Talent Scout</a>.Mark van Bommel called Vermeeren into first-team training, and handed him his debut in a Europa Conference League qualifier.When an injury crisis hit Antwerp in winter of 2022 - and Nainggolan was forced out of the club - Vermeeren got his moment. And he's stayed in the team since.

The big break

Vermeeren is, at this point, comfortably the starting defensive midfielder for Antwerp. Van Bommel's side set up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with Vermeeren playing as an all-action presence, usually alongside Alhassan Yusuf.The reigning Belgian League champs haven't quite hit their stride this campaign. They are fourth in the league, 11 points behind first-placed Union SG.But there are some positives to be found. They are playing in the Champions League for the first time, and have already won the Belgian Super Cup.Vermeeren has been crucial to his team's efforts so far. He has played every minute of Antwerp's Champions League group stage campaign, and started every league fixture so far.His team might not be thriving, but Vermeeren looks better by the week.

How it's going

All of the traits of a modern No.6 are here. Vermeeren holds onto the ball well and is seldom dispossessed - a useful skill for a player who looks to drive forward. His ball-carries per game are in the 88th percentile among all midfielders, according to <a href="https://fbref.com/en/players/722494dc/Arthur-Vermeeren" target="_blank">FBRef</a>, while he is also a willing forward passer.But his strengths really lie without the ball. Vermeeren is adept at cutting passing lanes, and an excellent presser for his age and position. He wins a high percentage of his tackles, recovers the ball at an above-average rate, and is a good passer in transition. At 5'11'' he has the necessary height to be a physical presence, but he's also quick enough to cover ground all over the pitch.This all points towards a modern No.6/No.8 blend - a rare archetype that big clubs pine after. He would be a perfect fit for a proactive side that looks to play vertically and create opportunities on the break.

Biggest strengths

Vermeeren is a surprisingly mature player for his position and age; No.6s typically don't hit their stride until their early 20s. He is very good, very young.However, he does occasionally play like a teenager. Vermeeren sometimes holds on to the ball for too long, resulting in him occasionally losing it in key areas - the kind of poor judgement that is punished at higher levels. He could also improve his contributions in the attacking third. Although Vermeeren has three assists to his name this season, he will need to provide more around the box if he is to thrive in one of Europe's elite leagues.Still, these are small refinements to make for a player who will only continue to grow in the coming months and years.

Room for improvement

The temptation here is to rip off a Dutch publication that has dubbed Vermeeren "The Xavi of Belgium". However, it's an unfair comparison, not only in terms of prestige but also player type. Vermeeren doesn't play like Xavi at all.But there are some modern comparisons to be made here. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-for-life-frenkie-de-jong-finally-looks-like-75-million-midfielder/blt12b6b65a4e27aaf6" target="_blank">There's a bit of Frenkie de Jong about Vermeeren, especially when he carries the ball forward and breaks defensive lines</a>. They share similar interception numbers, too.Still, the comparisons end there, as De Jong is a far more natural No.8. Eduardo Camavinga can also be used as a reference point here, as both broke out at around the same age.However, when it comes to playing style and development cycle, perhaps the best comparison is Declan Rice.Like the Englishman, Vermeeren dropped from a top-class academy into a lesser one. Both were centre-backs in their youth days who have since been converted into either defensive or box-to-box midfielders. Both are excellent defenders, who understand space, and are always improving going forward.Maybe soon Vermeeren will emulate Rice by completing a big-money move to one of the best teams in Europe. They may even end up as team-mates...

The next...Declan Rice?

There have already been reports of January transfer interest in the midfielder, with<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/arsenal-lead-barcelona-in-race-to-sign-vermeeren/bltc4a458414658f5a4" target="_blank"> Arsenal, Barcelona and Dortmund all linked</a>. It's been claimed that €20 million (£17m) could be enough to lure him away from Antwerp.As it stands, though, it seems more likely that Vermeeren will stay in Belgium until the end of the season - at which point he will likely be worth even more money to his current employers.Either way, Vermeeren is still just 18 and needs to play regular football. He is certainly ready for a higher level, but will need to go to a team that can offer 90 minutes every week. An ever-shifting Dortmund could be the best option if he is to move. But given his present rate of development, Antwerp will have few qualms if one of Europe's most promising young midfielders stays for another year.

What comes next?

Arthur Vermeeren: The Declan Rice regen linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund | Goal.com

Belgium defensive midfielder Arthur Vermeeren is already playing in the Champions League with Antwerp and is likely to join a top European team sooner rather than later