Spurs Eye Belgium Midfield Talent Arthur Vermeeren as De Zerbi Plans Squad Rebuild

Tottenham Hotspur are mulling over the possibility of attempting to sign Arthur Vermeeren, the Belgium and RB Leipzig midfielder, if they avoid what would be a catastrophic relegation from the Premier League, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

Vermeeren, rated as one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe, worked closely with Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille before the Italian’s departure in February. 

The 21-year-old, whose loan agreement with the French giants expires this summer, excelled under De Zerbi at Stade Velodrome and, with his former mentor being unveiled as Spurs’ new head coach earlier this month, would be interested in the possibility of resurrecting their partnership should the opportunity arise. 

The feeling is mutual, with De Zerbi understood to have requested Vermeeren’s name be added to a list of potential targets as he plots a major squad reshaping exercise during the close season. 

First, he must steer his new employers to top-flight safety, following their miserable results under predecessors Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, who left north London by mutual consent following a bereavement after only seven games in charge.

De Zerbi Looking At Rebuild 

Spurs are only a place and a point above the drop zone, ahead of their visit to Sunderland on April 12 which is followed by meetings with Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

With a lack of European football exerting pressure on their financial position, Spurs are unlikely to be able to lavish huge sums in the transfer market as they attempt to improve their fortunes on the pitch under De Zerbi. 

Crucially, with his qualities well suited to De Zerbi’s playing style, Vermeeren is also expected to be available for a relatively modest sum of around £25million should he be declared surplus to requirements by RB’s hierarchy.

After starting his career with Royal Antwerp, making nearly 70 appearances for them and winning a Pro League title, before being acquired by Atletico Madrid. However, he made only five senior outings in Spain ahead of a switch to the Bundesliga.

Vermeeren has been capped by his country on six occasions, after representing them at youth and under-21 level.