According to reports, Premier League side West Bromwich Albion are now eyeing a move for FC Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen as Tony Pulis is running out of both time and options to beef up his back line following the departure of their long-serving centre half Jonas Olsson at the end of the previous season.
The Baggies have been on the hunt for defenders for quite some time now with the likes of Ben Gibson from Middlesbrough, Kieran Gibbs from Arsenal and Chris Smalling from Manchester United all being linked with a move to Hawthorns over the past few weeks. But nothing has materialized since then, keeping Pulis under tremendous pressure with less than two weeks to go for the start of the new season.
Following their decent finish in the Premier league last season, which saw the Baggies collect their highest points tally in top flight football, fans were expecting some major upgrades to their side this summer. Pulis’ conservative style of play has earned his side some positive results against the top clubs in the league as they finished 10th with 45 points from 38 games.
And the Welsh manager was hugely credited for that achievement given the players he had at his disposal. But, to everyone’s surprise, the side couldn’t retain their star player and skipper Darren Fletcher, who left for Stoke City immediately after the season ended. West Brom are yet to find a replacement for him this summer, though they have loaned in Egyptian Ahmed Hegazy for Olsson apart from Jay Rodriguez from Southampton.
Pulis will focus primarily on his defence again as that remains his only strong suit in the league. And Vermaelen could be a brilliant addition if he stays fit. His experience with North London giants Arsenal, who he had even captained following the departure of Robin Van Persie, could help the Baggies massively next season.
The 31-year-old faces uncertainty at Nou Camp for his place at the moment and after his injury history with the La Liga side, the Belgian ace cannot really complain anything much. Since leaving Emirates back in 2014 for the Catalans, the centre half could manage only 11 league appearances for them. He started just seven times scoring a goal in Catalan colours.
While reports in Spain claim that new manager Ernesto Valverde is interested in keeping him, Vermaelen is already below Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Javier Mascherano in the pecking order now. And if he struggles with fitness any longer, then new boy Marlon Santos can overcome him too.
Barcelona sent him to Serie A side AS Roma on loan last season, to get back his sharpness, where he had flourished so much, but Vermaelen could make just nine appearances for them in Italy. With two years still to go on his contract and Valverde giving him time in Barca’s pre-season tour, the Baggies will have to move quickly, if they are to land him this summer.
