According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are preparing to compete with Barca in January against Antwerp midfielder Vermelen. The 18-year-old is seen as one of the best young players in Europe and has attracted the attention of several clubs. Newcastle are also interested in Fairmeeren, but it now appears that United are ahead of the Magpies in that scramble. It is understood that Ten Hag admires Fairmeien's style of play and hopes he can move to Old Trafford. Fairmeeren is valued at around £7m in the summer window, but the figure is likely to rise.
Fairmeiren, who came through the Antwerp academy, started his promotion to the first team last season and sat on the regular side. With 30 starts in 34 games, scoring one goal and assisting twice, and starting all 12 games this season, providing two assists, its potential has attracted the attention of many giants in Europe.
Fairmeiren is a well-rounded midfielder who is skilled and possessed with the ball, dribble nimbly in tight spaces, handle the ball accurately and have a good touch. Fairmelen has excellent individual breakthrough and change of direction. His speed and agility allow him to break through opposing defenses and create devastating offensive opportunities. He is able to get rid of defenders with excellent ball control and direction change skills, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
In addition, Fairmeilen has excellent vision, he is able to quickly observe the situation on the field and make sound passing decisions. He excels at launching and organising offense, creating chances and delivering key passes to his teammates. Fairmeilen also excelled in his shots. He was able to shoot accurately at all angles and make powerful shots. His shooting skills and decisiveness make him a dangerous long-range goalscorer and score goals for the team at crucial moments.
On the defensive end, Fairmeilen is able to read the game well and make sound tactical choices based on the position of his teammates. He has a good sense of position, good tackles and interceptions. His tactical sense makes him an excellent team player, able to play an active role on both offensive and defensive ends.
In the previous Champions League group stage opener against Barca, Vermeeren played 90 minutes, 31 of his 34 passes in place, and had a 91% success rate, including 3 long passes and 2 of them. There were also 3 tackles and 2 interceptions, all the highest of the game, and all 4 ground scrambles were successful, which performed well.
It is worth mentioning that before the start of this match, Barça sporting director Deco and Antwerp sporting director Ovimas talked about Vermaelen during lunch. This shows that Barca's interest is real and that Fairmeilen could also be Busquets' successor. Barca's strength lies in their relationship with Overmas and Van Bommel, but their weakness lies in the economy.
And Ten Hag is also looking for Casemiro's future successor. Manchester United's strength lies in the economic level, they have the ability to meet Antwerp's asking price. In addition, Antwerp has a good relationship with Manchester United. So, if United compete with Barca, it's really hard to say who will have the last laugh.