Spanish heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly changed their stance on selling Thomas Vermaelen at the end of the current campaign. The Belgium international has just a year left on his current contract but the Blaugrana are prepared to discuss terms over an extended deal, Mundo Deportivo reports.
Vermaelen had initially been tipped to leave the Camp Nou giants during the previous summer transfer window but new boss Ernesto Valverde decide to keep hold of his services. Since then, the versatile defender has put in a number of top-notch performances, most especially during the festive period where he had to cover up for the injured Samuel Umtiti.
As a result, he is said to attract interest from several European clubs, though Barca are prepared to commit the Belgian to an extension following the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Vermaelen’s potential deal could leave question marks over the future of Yerry Mina, who has struggled to make a notable impact since his January switch from Palmeiro.
The Colombia international was widely tipped to impress for the Catalans after signing as a replacement for Javier Mascherano and he has since played only in a handful of times for the club from the starting lineup. Barcelona have completed the season on a high with a La Liga and Copa del Rey double but they would still be disappointed with their inability to make in the Champions League.
Barcelona were widely touted as one of the favourites to make the final in Kyiv but unfortunately, their run had to end in the quarter-final stage where they succumbed to a shock defeat to AS Roma on the away goal rule. Valverde’s side were in pole position to qualify after picking up a 4-1 triumph at the Camp Nou but they simply failed to show up on the road where they suffered a surprise 3-0 loss.