The Controversy Over the Transfer Fee for Arthur Vermeeren: Is It Fair?

Belgian journalist jealous of high transfer fee for Ajax: ‘Doesn’t feel right’

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 8:42 AM

There has been outrage in Belgium about the transfer fee for Arthur Vermeeren. The midfielder will transfer from Royal Antwerp FC to Atlético Madrid this winter for around 22 million euros excluding bonuses. Koen Frans, journalist for the Gazet van Antwerpen, draws a comparison with Davy Klaassen.

“Ajax received more millions for Davy Klaassen six years ago than Antwerp now receives for Arthur Vermeeren. That doesn’t feel right,” Frans refers to Klaassen’s transfer to Everton. Ajax earned about 27 million euros from that transfer in the summer of 2017.

In the responses to Frans’ tweet, there is a lot of speculation about Vermeeren’s ‘low’ transfer fee. “It remains abroad but a Belgian player who has just come to watch,” someone responds. “He certainly has a lot of charisma and a lot of potential, but I think the price tag, considering the bonuses and resale, is quite okay.”

“Ajax still has more name and fame. And then your players also cost more. Logical? No,” another responds. Yet someone else thinks it is a consequence of years of financial mismanagement. The cash flow problem is also mentioned. Antwerp is experiencing serious financial problems.

It should no longer be a surprise that Vermeeren would leave Antwerp. The midfielder from Lier has been intensively followed by scouts from top European clubs for some time now. Antwerp nevertheless hoped that Vermeeren would stay until the end of the season, but that is unlikely to happen.

Fabrizio Romano knows that the transfer involves a fixed amount of 22 million euros. Moreover, Antwerp has negotiated a resale percentage in the negotiations with los Colchoneros. Vermeeren is still stuck at the Bosuil Stadium until mid-2026.