‘Interesting offer’ required to turn West Brom and Crystal Palace interest into real transfer

 

The Catalan media will grasp any tenuous Thomas Vermaelen transfer link as an opportunity.

At the beginning of the summer there was great hope Vermaelen would be leaving Barcelona, surely an English club would move in and take a chance, but as time went by it became clear the Belgian’s market isn’t too big.

Vermaelen is of course an excellent defender, but his fitness issues override all of that and ruined his loan spell with AS Roma.

Sky Sports linking West Brom has been jumped upon by Barcelona leaning newspaper Mundo Deportivo, who say a transfer is possible as long as there’s an ‘interesting offer’. Mundo Deportivo say the same goes for Crystal Palace, who were linked earlier in the window.

Frank De Boer interest, or least potential interest, was grasped, and the same is being done for Tony Pulis. Several Barcelona newspapers are carrying the possibility, and it’s also made news in Belgium.

But is it likely? Just like the Crystal Palace links, it’s conceivable, but there are probably better options on the market. Whilst Vermaelen may be available for a low transfer fee, or even a loan, the player’s wages will add to the risk of a move.

The Catalan perspective on this rumour is that it’s very possible, but until West Brom, Crystal Palace, or someone else makes a move, right now it’s just another English club linked to the player.