Atletico Madrid are ready to rival interest from the Premier League in Belgium-based starlets Bilal El Khannouss and Arthur Vermeeren.
Genk teenager El Khannouss and Royal Antwerp youngster Vermeeren have been scouted extensively by England’s top clubs after exciting emergences in the Belgian Pro League.
The former won the Belgian Golden Shoe as the division’s best young talent in 2022 and is currently representing Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, having won seven senior caps for the Atlas Lions.
Football Transfers have claimed that Liverpool are tracking the creative midfielder ahead of a potential move, though Atletico Madrid are keen to move ahead of Premier League competition in the race to sign the 19-year-old.
Vermeeren impressed as Royal Antwerp won a Belgian league and cup double in 2022/23 and succeeded EL Khannouss in winning the Belgian Golden Shoe last season.
The 18-year-old defensive midfielder caught the eye in the Champions League’s group stage this season, scoring once and providing two assists for Antwerp. Each of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ have been credited with interest in Vermeeren, who made his senior debut for Belgium in October.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Atletico have asked to be kept informed on the potential conditions of a deal for the teenager, as Europe’s top clubs circle.
