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Kicker now confirms a Sacha Tavolieri report concerning RB Leipzig midfielder Arthur Vermeeren. The Belgian journalist reported that the Belgian international lodged a transfer request with his Bundesliga outfit late last week. The German magazine also notes that the 20-year-old wants out of Saxony.
Leipzig only just picked up Vermeeren on a €20m purchase option last January. Despite what appeared to be a bright future with the German Red Bulls, the former Atletico man unexpectedly lost his starting place to Austrian midfielder Nicolas Seiwald in RB training camp.
Leipzig remain on the lookout for ways to reduce their oversized 34-man-squad. Vermeeren wasn’t even included in head coach Ole Werner’s matchday selection for Friday night’s Bundesliga opener against Bayern Munich.
The fact that Werner’s team found themselves utterly humiliated by the German record champions obviously means Vermeeren might get another chance. Seiwald and fellow Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager struggled to get a foothold against Bayern.
Werner also used Chelsea target Xavi Simons in an unnaturally deep defensive midfield deployment. The RB head coach will certainly wish to re-think his 4-1-4-1 tactical constellation. Vermeeren might be needed after all.
GGFN | Peter Weis
