Bart Verbruggen, a former Burnley target, thinks Brighton & Hove Albion is the ideal place for him to advance
professionally.
After spending a rumored £17 million to hire the goalkeeper from Anderlecht, the Seagulls defeated Vincent Kompany’s
team to sign him.
As a result of Burnley’s refusal to engage in a bidding war and the previously reported rejection of an offer in the
neighborhood of £13 million, the Dutchman was able to transfer to the Amex Stadium.
Opening up on his transfer, Verbruggen told Brighton’s YouTube channel: “I’m really happy to be here, I’m really excited.
“It’s an amazing club with amazing people, so I can’t wait to get started.”
When asked why he chose Brighton over other clubs, Verbruggen added: “As I said, the club is amazing. The people here are
amazing.
“Maybe most of all I like the way they played last season with the manager and the players they have, so I think it’s a good fit.
That’s why I decided to come here.
“Perhaps I prefer playing out from the back more occasionally than I do saving the ball, but I’ve always felt fairly at ease with
the ball at my feet.
I can’t wait since I believe it to be a perfect fit.
Verbruggen added that Jack Stern, the goalkeeping coach at Brighton, had assisted him in settling down on the South Coast.
The 20-year-old continued, “I had my first discussion with him and I knew right away that he’s a nice person.
“We discussed goalkeeping right away, and I truly believe that we share the same views on the subject.
He has performed admirably throughout the entire procedure.
Since then, Burnley has focused on James Trafford, the goalkeeper for Manchester City.
Overnight, it became apparent that the two parties were nearing a deal, with a total estimated value of £14 million plus add-
ons.
The 20-year-old is now abroad with England’s Under-21 team, which has advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Under-21
European Championships. Last season, the player shone while on loan with Bolton Wanderers.
Recently, links have also been made between Kamil Grabara of FC Copenhagen and Jean Butez of Antwerp.
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BARCELONA PRESIDENT HOPES TO STOP ‘EXCELLENT’ PLAYER JOINING BURNLEY
The Catalan-born 22-year-old is now officially a free-agent; his Camp Nou contract expiring on Saturday.
There are, however, similarities between Tenas’ situation and that of fellow Spaniard David de Gea at Manchester United. In
short, do not rule out fresh terms being belatedly agreed.
Burnley eye Barcelona goalkeeper Arnau Tenas
“We offered him a renewal,” Laporta explains. “He is an excellent footballer. He is captain of the (B team), and always
generates a good environment.
“(This week) we will speak with him and with (his agent).”
Tenas, meanwhile, will not have a firm answer for either Barcelona or Burnley until the U21 European Championships
comes to an end later this month.
“What I can tell you is that I am with the national team,” Tenas says. “And, when I finish this tournament, I will make a
decision.”
As you might expect given his La Masia roots, Tenas is a goalkeeper very confident with the ball at his feet. And any
glovesman in a Kompany team must be capable of operating almost as an extra outfield player, given the manager’s
possession-orientated gameplan.
If Burnley opt for a more experienced option, the Clarets could go for Royal Antwerp’s Jean Butez. Butez kept 27 clean
sheets in all competitions as Antwerp secured the Jupiler League title for the first time since 1957 last season, and the
Belgian champions will not stand in his way if Burnley step up their interest.
“Jean had his best season ever,” CEO Sven Jaecques tells Gazet van Antwerpen .
“At the age of 28, he has reached a good age to make a transfer. And (he has) already indicated that he wants to take the next
step.
“If that opportunity comes, we will not block Jean. Provided that the right price is offered.”
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