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The Belgian was touted as a midfield pillar of the future. So why is he already leaving" It wasn?t very long ago where I was writing on this site about an apparent shift for the better in Atlético Madrid?s recruitment policy. After signing Arthur Vermeeren from Royal Antwerp in January, Atlético had a ?collection? of under-24 players in the first team or adjacent to it who seemed set to play a significant role in the future direction of the first team.
Seven months later, Atlético have sold Santiago Mouriño to Alavés (the club has retained a ?3 million buy-back option) after finalizing Samu Omorodion?s transfer to FC Porto. And seven months after signing a six-and-a-half year contract with Atlético, Vermeeren is gone too, sparking further debate and questions over Atleti?s plan to remain a sustainable contender for titles in the years to come. Vermeeren almost certain to join Leipzig permanently
It?s no secret Vermeeren struggled to adapt to life in Spain after leaving his native Belgium midway through last season. The 19-year-old himself acknowledged in February that initially, he didn?t have ?good feelings? upon making his Atlético debut against Rayo Vallecano on Jan. 31, and grasping the language was difficult for him ? even with fellow Belgium international Axel Witsel in the dressing room.
Even though he had captained Antwerp in the Champions League, Vermeeren?s youth and inexperience meant he wa...