Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is personally a big fan of Bart Verbruggen with the Anderlecht goalkeeper lined up for a potential summer move to Old Trafford.
Porto’s Diogo Costa may be the name on the lips of most Manchester United fans – a shot-stopper and a playmaker rolled into one, such is the quality of his distribution – but he is certainly not the only name in the frame.
Costa’s £65 million release clause makes him far more expensive than most of United’s other goalkeeping options. And with much of Ten Hag’s budget likely to be eaten up by additions in attack and in midfield, any deal for Costa currently seems to be a little up in the air, especially considering the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s ownership.
Bart Verbruggen, in contrast, is a player whose signing would perhaps not be subject to such constraints.
The Manchester Evening News report that Ten Hag is a ‘fan’ of the Dutch youth international. Verbruggen has only been playing regular first-team football since Christmas but has made a huge impression over the last few months, so much so that he comfortably claimed Anderlecht’s Player of the Year award this week.
Bart Verbruggen could be Manchester United’s next goalkeeper
Verbruggen kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions. His composure in possession caught the eye, as did his remarkable penchant for keeping out penalties. Two areas of David de Gea’s game which have long been the subject to plenty of ire.
Verbruggen, according to The Sun, is valued by Anderlecht at around £15 million. Liverpool have also been linked. Burnley, meanwhile, came close to bringing the ex-NAC Breda man to Turf Moor back in 2022.
“If he performs well there and continues to show himself at Anderlecht, then the Oranje (Dutch national team) is a logical next step,” Anderlecht’s goalkeeping coach Frank Boeckx tells Sporza.
“Bart has an incredible work ethic; wanting to get better, his meticulous match preparation and his will to understand the opponent. For someone his age, that’s special.
“Bart is already very mature at the age of 20. How he succeeded (Hendrick) Van Crombrugge – captain and a big name – without blinking, shows his mental strength.
“His footballing qualities are also exceptional,” Boeckx adds, highlighting the technical ability that will appeal to Ten Hag.
“The way he sees and executes passes, both short and long. His athleticism is also very good. He has all the qualities of a modern goalkeeper.”
With De Gea expected to sign a new deal – despite his latest error-strewn display in the FA Cup final loss to Manchester City – Verbruggen could potentially arrive at Old Trafford with the intention of first competing with, and eventually replacing, United’s long-term number one.
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