Ex-Arsenal defender denied Premier League return after club already agreed to let youngster go out on loan

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Barcelona reportedly refused an offer from Everton for Thomas Vermaelen after already loaning out another centre-back in Marlon Santos to Ligue 1 outfit Nice.

The Liverpool Echo reported that Ronald Koeman’s side wanted the 31-year-old on a year’s loan with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season as the Dutch manager wanted some cover at centre-back and left-back.

The Catalan giants refused the deal as they themselves wanted cover in those positions after the deal with Nice for 21-year-old Santos was finalised.

The former Arsenal defender left the Gunners for Barcelona in 2014 for £15m, per BBC Sport. The Belgian had played 150 games for Arsene Wenger’s men which included an FA Cup final win over Hull City a few months before his departure.

Vermaelen would have been excellent cover in an already strong Everton back-line and would have helped them in their quest to break into the top six, adding invaluable experience to the quality of the squad.

 

More Stories Arsene Wenger Marlon Santos Ronald Koeman Thomas Vermaelen