Barcelona will reportedly compete with Real Madrid in the race to sign 22-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Bart Verbruggen is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a goalkeeper amid the struggles of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. However, the Blaugrana will face stiff competition from Real Madrid, with Brighton & Hove Albion demanding around €40 million to part ways with him.
Bart Verbruggen and his journey in England
Bart Verbruggen has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Premier League since joining Brighton & Hove Albion from RSC Anderlecht in July 2023. While the Dutchman has not been the undisputed first-choice shot-stopper for the Seagulls, he has made considerable progress in the last 12 months.
The 22-year-old has turned out 30 times thus far for Brighton & Hove Albion while keeping nine clean sheets and conceding 34 goals. Verbruggen’s displays for the Premier League club have helped him establish himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Netherlands, making 15 appearances for the Oranje.
Meanwhile, Bart Verbruggen’s exploits for his club and country have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Barcelona and Real Madrid are his prospective suitors ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window.
La Liga move on the horizon?
Bart Verbruggen has been on Real Madrid’s radar for a long time. The reigning La Liga champions want to lay down a succession plan for Thibaut Courtois. In addition, they are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Andriy Lunin, even though the Ukrainian goalkeeper has signed a new contract. So, Verbruggen has emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid.
As for Barcelona, they should delve into the market for a long-term replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The veteran German goalkeeper has blown hot and cold in the last few years, with the issues exacerbating in the early days of the 2024/25 season. So, Verbruggen is an option worth considering for Barcelona.
The 22-year-old Dutchman will not cost a bomb, with Brighton & Hove Albion demanding around €40 million to part ways with him next year. It will be interesting to see if he lands in La Liga by joining Barcelona or Real Madrid.
