Recent Everton target Thomas Vermaelen looks set to leave Barcelona.
According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Barcelona are ready to offload defender Thomas Vermaelen in the January transfer window – but surely any chance of him joining Everton has now gone.
The Catalan giants have made a strong start to life under Ernesto Valverde, and sit four points clear at the top of the table having dropped just two points.
Even after losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, Barca are still thriving, but Valverde may look to trim his squad in January in order to raise funds for other signings – such as Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Catalan newspaper Sport now claim that a number of players are being primed for the chopping block, with defender Thomas Vermaelen expected to be sold when the transfer window re-opens.
The Belgian international, 31, has endured a predictably injury-hit time with Barca since signing from Arsenal in 2014, and has made just one competitive appearance this season as he struggles for playing time.
Barca’s desire to sell Vermaelen in January makes their decision in August so much more confusing, as the Liverpool Echo reported that a deadline day loan move to Everton fell through as Barca wanted to keep him.
Vermaelen may still hold out hope of a move to the Premier League, but a switch to Everton seems incredibly unlikely now, given that manager Ronald Koeman was sacked by the Toffees last week.
Koeman handed Vermaelen his Ajax debut back in 2004, and had hoped to reunite at Goodison Park, offering a left-sided defender who could play at centre back or left back if needed.
However, with Koeman gone, Everton’s interest in signing Vermaelen has surely dissipated, and both the defender and Koeman may well be wondering how their respective seasons would be going if that deadline day deal did go through.
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