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Mark Hughes may be in the market for a new centre-back as ex-Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen seeks a Premier League return, per reports in Mundo Deportivo.
What’s the word?
The report emerging from Spain suggests that Vermaelen is looking to return to England and has instructed his representatives to sound out potential suitors.
The Catalan newspaper mentions Southampton and Watford but does not confirm whether either have been in direct contact with the defender’s agent yet, although they do note their previous interest in the 33-year-old.
Vermaelen’s contract at the Camp Nou is up in the summer and he no longer has the backing of the board following further injuries – previous technical secretary Robert Fernandez had wanted to extend the deal of the one-time Champions League winner by a further year.
Barcelona signed the 70-cap Belgium international back in 2014 from Arsenal, where he was club captain for two years but spent more than 400 days out injured – a theme that continued in Catalunya and while on loan to Roma.
In the five years since the defender left Arsenal, Vermaelen has amassed just 66 appearances – a season-high of 20 set twice, in 2015-16 and 2017-18.
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The La Liga centre-back who Hughes should target
Instead of bringing an injury prone defender to St Mary’s Stadium, Hughes should inquire into the signing of Deportivo Alaves centre-back Guillermo Maripan.
The 24-year-old Chilean has been an integral part of the Basque club’s rise into the Champions League positions after finishing 14th last year.
In nine games – only once a substitute – the 6ft 4in defender has amassed 19 tackles and 20 interceptions, helping his side to one of the best defensive records in La Liga – conceding fewer goals than Real Madrid and Barcelona.
While Transfermarkt value the Universidad Catolica product at £2.25million, Alaves would likely look to make more given his importance alongside Victor Laguardia.
Vermaelen, even at a cut-price, would not be the answer Southampton needs to turn results around, and the ageing defender’s injury history should set alarm bells ringing at St Mary’s Stadium if the 33-year-old’s agent rings.
