The future of Thomas Vermaelen at Barcelona was put under more pressure this summer with the arrival Samuel Umtiti.
Marca Bartra left the club for Borussia Dortmund, but it’s now expected Umtiti goes straight ahead of Vermaelen in the Barcelona pecking order.
Bought from Arsenal for a fee of around £15m, the Catalan press were left shocked that Barcelona would pay such a fee for a defender who had an injury plagued past. It’s worth pointing out the claim now is that Arsenal were paid just €10m upfront, with the rest based on variables.
Sure enough, the unfortunate Vermaelen has spent a lot of his time at Barcelona injured, and given he’s on relatively high wages, he’s prime for the chop.
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo have an article on Wednesday pointing out that West Ham are the favourites to sign the player. AS Roma have been interested too, but it’s not thought they would pay as high a transfer fee as the Hammers, the same goes with wages.
Besiktas in Turkey are interested, by Mundo Deportivo believe that’s ruled out, especially after recent terror attacks in the country. Vermaelen got used to London whilst playing for Arsenal, and his family would fit easily back into the city.
Barcelona want at least €10m for the player.
