Ernesto Valverde to keep Thomas Vermaelen at Barcelona?

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has reportedly decided that he wants to keep Thomas Vermaelen at Camp Nou.

Vermaelen has spent the last four seasons at the Catalan giants, but injury and a loan spell at Roma has restricted the player to just 41 appearances in all competitions.

Barcelona have moved to sign Clement Lenglet from Sevilla this summer, and that had been expected to trigger the sale of Belgium international Vermaelen.

However, according to Diaro Sport, Valverde is keen to have the 32-year-old as an option in his defence, whether that be in the centre or at left-back.

Vermaelen has less than a year remaining on his contract, but it appears that Valverde is prepared to lose the player on a free transfer next summer.