Barcelona make enquiry for Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen
According to a report from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, FC Barcelona have made an enquiry for Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (22). The Catalan side have asked for the conditions of a potential deal with the Sussex club.
The 22-year-old Netherlands national team goalkeeper are reportedly looking for a long-term successor to Marc-Andre ter Stegen – who tore his ACL earlier this season. Verbruggen is high on the list for the goalkeeper position along with Joan García from Espanyol, reports Aouna.
Verbruggen the Seagulls from Anderlecht in July 2023 and has established himself as Brighton's first-choice keeper after rotating with Jason Steele under current Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi in the 2023-2024 season. Last season the Dutchman was an undisputed starter under Fabian Hurzeler, making 36 Premier League appearances this season.
He is currently under contract with the Albion until 2028, but has missed out on the latest Netherlands squad after he was reportedly 'struggling with physical complaints and needed time for the recovery process.'
GFFN | George Boxall
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Flekken joins Leverkusen as Kelleher replaces him at Brentford
Then Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has returned to the Bundesliga and joined Bayer Leverkusen from Brentford, who in turn have signed Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher to replace him. Tom Weller/dpa Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has returned to the Bundesliga and joined Bayer Leverkusen from Brentford, who in turn have signed Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher to replace him. Leverkusen announced in a statement on Tuesday that the Netherlands goalkeeper, who was previously at Freiburg, has signed a contract until 2028. Advertisement The 31-year-old has played for Brentford in the English Premier League for the past two seasons. Media reports estimated the transfer at €10 million ($11.4 million). "He knows the Bundesliga from his successful time in Freiburg. His years in England and his role in the Dutch national team have also given Mark a great deal of international experience. We are therefore very well positioned in the goalkeeper positions for the coming years," Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said. Flekken is expected to become the new number one for the 2024 German champions, who are now coached by another Dutchman in Erik ten Hag. Last season, Lukas Hradecky and Matej Kovar shared the role, but Kovar in particular struggled as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga. Advertisement Brentford immediately replaced Flekken with Ireland goalkeeper Kelleher from Liverpool for £18 million ($25.5 million). A statement said the Premier League champion had penned a five-year deal. Kelleher was playing second fiddle to Alisson Becker at Liverpool and the July arrival of Valencia's Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili at Anfield was set to limit his chances further. "I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one and to play every week," he said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Brentford complete £18m signing of Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is on his way to Brentford (PA Wire) Caoimhin Kelleher has completed his move from Liverpool to Brentford for £18m. The Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper joins Brentford as the replacement for Mark Flekken, who has completed his £11m transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. Advertisement Brentford were swift to identify Kelleher as their top target to take over from the Dutchman and he passed a medical and agreed personal terms with the London club. Kelleher's sale means Liverpool have brought in around £70m in a year from Brentford after last summer's sales of defender Sepp van den Berg and attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho. The 26-year-old only had one year left on his contract at Anfield and Liverpool avoided losing him on a free transfer by selling him now. Kelleher wanted first-team football and, though he had made 46 appearances in the last two seasons, Alisson is established as Liverpool's first choice. Caoimhin Kelleher leaves Liverpool after five years as Alisson's number two (EPA) In addition, Liverpool bought Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer and while they immediately loaned him back to the Spanish club, the Georgia international is due to arrive at Anfield this year. Kelleher, who made his Liverpool debut in 2019, excelled in two Carabao Cup final wins but, while he has become a regular for his country, has only made 67 senior club appearances in his career.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brentford sells Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen and signs Kelleher as replacement goalie
LONDON (AP) — Brentford sold Mark Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday and immediately announced a replacement goalkeeper, bringing in Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool. Flekken, a Netherlands international, signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and will work under fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United coach who recently joined Leverkusen. Advertisement Lukas Hradecky is Leverkusen's current goalkeeper but will have to fight for his place with Flekken. 'Mark Flekken possesses a wide range of skills that a goalkeeper in modern top-flight football needs," Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said. 'He has strong reflexes, good control of the penalty area, and, thanks to his height of 1.95 meters, has tremendous reach.' The 31-year-old Flekken spent two years at Brentford, making 77 appearances for the Premier League club. 'We were expecting Mark to be our goalkeeper for many more years, however when Bayer Leverkusen made it known that they wanted to do this transfer, and Mark made it clear that he was interested in moving closer to home and with a possibility of Champions League football, we turned our attention towards how all parties could make this happen," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. Advertisement Flekken previously played in Germany with Duisburg and Freiburg, but has the chance to compete for the biggest titles with the 2024 Bundesliga champion. 'To be able to contribute my qualities to a top German club with ambitious national and European goals now makes me very happy," Flekken said. "I love the Bundesliga and, of course, I'm also looking forward to challenging for the Champions League with the Werkself.' Less than an hour after Flekken's signing was confirmed, Brentford announced the arrival of Kelleher on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The Ireland international was the No. 2 goalkeeper at Liverpool behind Alisson Becker. 'We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer,' Giles said. Advertisement 'When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhín as his replacement." Kelleher made 67 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
