- Leipzig's temporary acquisition of Belgian player Vermeeren hails from Atlético Madrid's squad.
The signing of Belgian footballer Arthur Vermeeren by RB Leipzig has been made official. The 19-year-old is set to spend a season on loan from Atlético Madrid, with his long-term contract with the Spanish club not expiring until June 30, 2030. Leipzig has also secured the option to purchase the midfielder, with that option becoming a reality if Vermeeren plays a certain number of games for the club, potentially leading to a permanent commitment until 2029. Reports suggest the transfer fee would be around 20 million euros.
Vermeeren will serve as a stand-in for Xaver Schlager, who is expected to be out for at least three more months due to a cruciate ligament injury. This makes Vermeeren the third Belgian national team player to be trained by former RB coach Domenico Tedesco, following Maarten Vandevoordt and Lois Openda. Vermeeren joined Atlético last winter for a transfer fee of 18 million euros, but managed only five La Liga appearances.
Leipzig sports director Rouven Schröder highlighted the unique qualities Vermeeren brings to the team, explaining, "He fits a player profile we don't already have in our squad. He provides us with more high-quality width, competition within the team, and additional options. Arthur has excellent vision, remains calm under pressure, has high game intelligence, and is skilled at opening up the game." Vermeeren could also serve as a long-term replacement for Schlager, Kampl, and Haidara, who are all veterans with their final contract year approaching at RB in 2026.
Leipzig's interest in Vermeeren is not limited to his current loan period; the club has the option to purchase him permanently if he meets certain criteria, potentially keeping him until 2029. Germany could benefit from Vermeeren's talents, as he is a Belgian national team player currently playing for RB Leipzig.
