Atletico Madrid beats FC Barcelona to a 30 million euro wonder kid

Atletico Madrid is on the verge of signing a transfer target of FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona was very interested in signing cheaper options for their midfield rebuild. The Catalan club is currently going through an economic crisis.

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Sergio Busquets left the club in the summer, and the club is struggling to find a replacement for the Spanish midfielder. Barca signed Oriol Romeu in the summer, and after a bright start to the season, he has sat on the bench for most of the recent games. Romeu lost Xavi Hernandez's trust to start games and prefers starting Sergi Roberto.

Barca are looking at midfielders like Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. Barca is struggling to find an affordable option for the defensive midfielder position and is even looking at loan deals. Barca was chasing after Arthur Vermeeren in the summer but never sealed a deal for the 18-year-old. Barca actually played Vermeeren in the Champions League when Barca played Royal Antwerp in the group stage. Vermeeren offers great vision and is an excellent pivot to shut down attacks. Barca aren't the only La Liga team looking for a defensive midfielder, as Atletico Madrid is desperate to bring one in this January. Atletico Madrid may have hijacked a potential deal between Vermeeren and Barcelona as they seem close to signing the Belgian midfielder.

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The deal between Atletico Madrid and Arthur Vermeeren

According to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atlético Madrid has verbally agreed with Royal Antwerp to sign Belgian teenager Arthur Vermeeren! The fee will be €22m fixed plus add-ons, going over €25 million. Antwerp will also have a sell-on clause, and the player is set to travel to Madrid on Thursday.