La Liga champions Barcelona will reportedly let Thomas Vermaelen leave this summer and Premier League Everton are an ideal destination.
Thomas Vermaelen’s spell at Barcelona is allegedly coming to an end.
The 33-year-old has been a fine servant for the La Liga champions over his five years at the Camp Nou, when fully fit that is, winning three domestic titles and the 2015 Champions League while providing top-class back up for Gerard Pique and co.
But with his contract due to expire in three months, ESPN report that Vermaelen is free to bid farewell to Barca with the Catalan giants setting their sights on another Ajax starlet – the 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt.
Even at 33, and with a history of injury problems behind him, there should be no shortage of interest.
Speaking to DH in November, Vermaelen admitted that Everton had expressed an interest in signing him last summer, although Barca refused to let him follow Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina to Merseyside.
“Clubs tried until the very last day, like Everton, but it was impossible,” he said. “I wasn’t even able to negotiate.”
And an Everton side that has looked increasingly shaky at the back under Marco Silva could do worse than to sign a proven Premier League centre-back with 70 international caps.
Former Arsenal captain Vermaelen would add not only experience but poise and an excellent passing range – something that should appeal to the purist Silva. He could be a fine mentor for ex-Barca team-mate Mina and a replacement for loanee Kurt Zouma.
Not bad for a freebie.
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