Torino linked with Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen

Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen has emerged as a surprise target for Torino ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to the football transfer rumours in Italian Media (TuttoMercatoWeb), Torino are linked with a loan move for Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen.

The Belgium international has joined Barcelona from Arsenal for a fee in the region of 19 million euros in August 2014. The 31-year-old has a valid contract with Barcelona until June 2019. In August 2016, Thomas Vermaelen was sent to Roma on a season-long loan.

Since his arrival from Barcelona, Vermaelen has played in only 12 games for Roma in all competitions this season.

The Belgium international has been in poor form for Roma this season.

Thomas Vermaelen has represented Belgium at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level, winning 24 caps and scoring one goal, before making his senior international debut in March 2006. As a member of Belgium national football team, Thomas Vermaelen has won 61 caps and has scored one goal.

Adding a centre-back remains Torino’s top priority this summer and Siniša Mihajlović will have drafted a shortlist of a number of possible targets he could approach in the coming weeks.

Thomas Vermaelen has been long term target of Siniša Mihajlović as the manager look to bolster his defensive options for the next season.

Torino are in the market for just a handful of statement signings this summer who can improve the first-team.

According to the report in Italian Media, Torino want to bring Vermaelen but are not able to pay his full salary of 2.5 milion euros per year. So, they are requesting Barcelona to pay some of that salary while the 31-year-old is on a season-long loan.

How strong that interest is and whether Torino will make a summer move remains to be seen but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.