Liverpool have reportedly made a formal approach for Barcelona centre back Thomas Vermaelen, according to Sport in Spain. The Catalan club want to recoup most of the €19million they paid Arsenal for the player but the Reds are only willing to bid up to the €10million.
According to the Spanish newspaper, Barca are hoping that West Ham will also enter the bidding for the Belgian international to push up the 30 year old’s price. The player has already had offers from Turkey, with Besiktas reportedly interested in the defender, but Vermaelen has his sights firmly set on a return to the Premier League with the Reds now in pole position to take advantage.
Vermaelen’s two year stay at the Camp Nou has been blighted with injuries and he missed most of his first season at the club after having to undergo surgery on a long standing hamstring injury. This season he has been mostly injury free but his playing time has been restricted to 6 starts in the league and 10 appearances in total. He last made an appearance as a substitute in the 6-0 victory over Getafe in mid March.
