Teenage midfielder Arthur Vermeeren has spoken out about his future, having been linked with a potential move to Manchester United.
The Belgian wonderkid has impressed for Royal Antwerp this season, including in the Champions League where he scored in their 3-2 win over Barcelona earlier this month. Reports of United's interest in Vermeeren first emerged back in March, while fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the 18-year-old prospect.
And Vermeeren has admitted that "you never know" what could happen, despite his plans to remain at Royal Antwerp for the rest of the season. When asked if he had seen the rumours linking him with a move to Old Trafford, Vermeeren told Belgian news outlet Het Nieuwsblad: "Yes.
"Then you get the articles forwarded or my brothers will come with it. The youngest [14-year-old Caesar] in particular is always very enthusiastic. He reads everything and believes everything immediately!
"Maybe that's normal at that age. but then I tell him that not everything that appears in the newspapers or online is true. All I know is, if my lawyers haven't told me about it, it won't be concrete yet.
"In football, you never know. I would like to stay at this club for the rest of my life. Of course, you want to take it a step further but it is difficult to say when that will be possible. The puzzle must fit together.
"There are so many scenarios to take into account because, suppose you sign somewhere and are loaned out, but then the coach leaves… Then you suddenly find yourself with another coach who may not want you.
"We'll see what happens. But I want to finish the season here anyway." Vermeeren also admitted that he is open to joining a club in any of Europe's top leagues, adding: "I definitely think about things like that.
"Germany is very good for your physical health. Serie A, that's more tactics. In Spain it's all about footballing ability, in England it's about intensity… But there is no competition yet that I really prefer. It mainly depends on the teams."
Vermeeren has featured in every single one of Royal Antwerp's games so far this season and the teenager has earned lofty comparisons to Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.