Manchester United & Barcelona battle for Royal Antwerp sensation Arthur Vermeeren

Vermeeren has been dubbed as the next Andreas Iniesta

The "next Andres Iniesta" Arthur Vermeeren has drawn major interest from Premier League's Manchester United, but Barcelona are also keen to sign the youngster.

The 18-year-old phenom from Royal Antwerp, Arthur Vermeeren, has been compared to Spanish great Iniesta. Additionally, the Belgian playmaker is claimed to be "in love" with Erik ten Hag.

The United manager strengthened his midfield this year by adding Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount. The Red Devils' season hasn't gotten off to the best of starts, losing three of their first six games.

He said: "I certainly wasn’t that good at that age. He’ll go much further than me, that seems clear to me. I like to see such types working.

"I didn’t used to watch a lot of football, but I would turn on my TV for Barcelona. For Xavi and Iniesta. Not that I see every Antwerp match now, but I have that with him too.

"You see that he scans a lot. He always chooses his position wisely. You can train for that a bit, but I think you either have something like that or you don’t. And he has that."

Kums continued: "To perform like this at such a young age is incredible Vermeeren is a very good but also a beautiful footballer.

In order to further upend things, Ten Hag may resort to Vermeeren, as reported by Mundo Deportivo through Sport Witness.

The midfielder has been frequently playing for Royal Antwerp this season after earning the cut for the first squad last year.

Additionally, according to the story, Old Trafford executives have spoken with the teen's agent about a prospective transfer.

However, they won't be the only ones pursuing the talent; LaLiga powerhouse Barcelona are also interested.

Gent ace as well as Vermeeren and Iniesta, a former Barcelona player, are comparable, according to Sven Kums, who recently told Gazet van Antwerpen that.