Arsenal risk missing out on Arthur Vermeeren as Tottenham Hotspur desperate to pip them to his services

Tottenham Hotspur believe they have an edge over Arsenal in the race for Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren in January, according to the Sun.

The Gunners want to bolster their options in the middle of the park given the frequent injury woes of Thomas Partey.

The Ghana international is off to the Africa Cup of Nations next month, and Arsenal have been keeping an eye on Vermeeren for a while, regularly sending scouts to run the rule over the 18-year-old in recent months.

However, Spurs are ready to part with £25 million to sign the Belgium international and will pay a large part of the fee upfront before loaning him back to Royal Antwerp.

Chelsea have also sent scouts to watch Vermeeren play this season, while the teenage sensation is also attracting the attention of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.

Arsenal reportedly could make an opening bid of £13m for the wonderkid in January, but Antwerp want at least £25m, which Tottenham could meet.

The Belgian club are prepared to keep him until the summer if his asking price is not met, and Spurs deciding to meet it and loan him back to them would be more appealing.

Arsenal cannot afford to miss out on Vermeeren given his huge quality and potential.

He has amassed quite an experience under his belt despite his age, with 62 appearances to his name so far over the last two campaigns.

His performances in the group stage of the Champions League left plenty of his suitors convinced of his abilities, and the Gunners have a chance to snap up such a player for an affordable fee, but they need to move quickly with Spurs ready to swoop on him.