Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on 18-year-old Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren.
The 2005-born protege has already established himself as a regular starter for the Belgian champions and is being tipped for a bright future in the centre of the park.
Vermeeren joined Antwerp as a youth player in the summer of 2018 and has already made 43 appearances for the club in all tournaments, scoring one goal and setting up four more.
Following a brief stint in the youth team last season, the teenager's performances convinced Antwerp that he was ready for first-team integration, and he started 18 Jupiler Pro League games en route to title glory.
The teenager - who primarily operates as a defensive midfielder but can also be deployed as a number eight - has already set up two goals in nine matches during the 2023-24 season, and he is expected to be named in the first XI for Tuesday's Champions League opener with Barcelona.
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Vermeeren is still waiting to earn his first cap for the Belgium national team, but he recently made his maiden appearance for the Red Devils' Under-21s, providing an assist in a 1-0 Euros qualifying win over Kazakhstan earlier this month.
Back in February, Vermeeren extended his Antwerp contract for another three years until the summer of 2026, but the Belgian outfit will not be expected to retain his services for much longer should be continue performing in the same vein.
According to Sport - via the Manchester Evening News - Man United boss Erik ten Hag is intrigued by Vermeeren and has identified the 18-year-old as a potential future target.
The Red Devils' scouting team have apparently been keeping tabs on the teenager's progress and are expected to cast an eye on his performance against Barcelona on Tuesday evening.
Man United bolstered their midfield over the summer with the permanent acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea, before striking a late loan deal for Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat.
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However, both players' inauguration periods at Old Trafford have been disrupted by injury, and Amrabat is yet to make his Man United debut since his deadline-day arrival.
Furthermore, Ten Hag's side allowed Fred to depart for Turkish giants Fenerbahce, while the club also decided against converting Marcel Sabitzer's loan deal from Bayern Munich into a permanent move.
Scott McTominay was also tipped to bid farewell over the summer after falling below Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the pecking order, but the Scotland international remained at the Theatre of Dreams beyond the 11pm deadline.
However McTominay remains a fringe player for Ten Hag and is allegedly a January target for Bayern, whom the Red Devils will meet in Wednesday's opening Champions League clash.
Ben Knapton
