Liverpool
Liverpool Submit Formal Offer For International Defender
Liverpool have submitted a formal offer for an experienced international defender as Jurgen Klopp looks to bring in a new centre-back this summer.
The summer transfer window is in full swing so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Liverpool are linked with Thomas Vermaelen….
Liverpool have submitted a formal offer to Barcelona for out-of-favour Belgian international defender Thomas Vermaelen as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his defensive options, according to the Express.
Klopp has already been extremely active in the summer transfer market bringing in seven new signings so far but the German coach is still hoping to add another defender to his ranks over the coming weeks.
Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all currently nursing injuries and Lucas Leiva – who has been used as a make-shift centre-back at times – won’t be allowed to leave until Klopp finds another central defender.
Several names have been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks but the Express are citing reports coming from Spanish outlet AS that claim Liverpool have now made a formal offer for Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen.
The Belgian international has plenty of Premier League experience having spent five years with Arsenal but his career has stalled since making a move to Barca in the summer of 2014.
Vermaelen has seen his time at the Nou Camp plagued by a series of hamstring injuries and even when fit, the 30-year-old isn’t considered first choice, with the defender managing to make just 11 La Liga appearances in two years.
The former Ajax star’s chances of first team football look even more limited following the arrival of Samuel Umtiti from Lyon so Vermaelen is expected to find a new club this summer and it looks like Liverpool are offering him the chance to return to England.
Vermaelen is predominantly a centre-back but he’s also capable of playing at left-back, so he’d be able to cover two troublesome area’s if he was to move to Liverpool as Klopp also needs support for Alberto Moreno now that Brad Smith has joined Bournemouth.
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However, it looks like Liverpool face stiff competition for Vermaelen’s signature as the Express claim that Italian giants Roma have also made an offer and are hoping to lure the Belgian to Serie A.
