return of the Verminator
Vermaelen could make sensational return to Arsenal
LONDON: Arsenal have made a shock offer to re-sign crock Thomas Vermaelen, according to reports in the Catalan press.
The injury-prone defender swapped the Emirates for the Nou Camp in 2014 and won the league, Spanish Cup and Champions League medals, despite making just one appearance all season.
And Sport claim Barcelona are mulling over an offer from Arsenal to bring the Belgian back to North London.
The Gunners are desperately short at the back, with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny currently unavailable.
Francis Coquelin recently sparked fears he would be deployed as an emergency centreback with a comment on the club’s official SnapChat feed.
Arsene Wenger signed Vermaelen from Ajax in 2009 for around £10million (RM53mil) and he quickly endeared himself to the Emirates faithful – earning the nickname Verminator – with his impressive performances and eye for a goal.
He scored seven times in his debut Premier League campaign was included in the PFA Team of the Year.
Injuries restricted him to just five appearances in his second campaign at the Emirates.
He was named vice-captain when Cesc Fabregas moved to Barcelona in 2011 and then took the armband after Robin van Persie joined Manchester United a year later.
Vermaelen won his only honour with Arsenal in 2014, when they ended their nine-year trophy drought with FA Cup glory at Wembley – though he was an unused substitute.
Barca then signed him that summer, but he failed to make his debut until the final league game of the season in May 23.
He made 20 appearances in 201516, as Luis Enrique’s men retained the league and King’s Cup crowns.
Vermaelen was part of the Belgium squads who reached the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 quarter-finals.
AS Roma are also reported to have made a bid for the 30-year-old defender, while the Gunners have also been linked with a move for Jonny Evans. — The Sun, London