New Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has reportedly decided to consider Thomas Vermaelen for a role in his first-team squad next season.
Since moving to Camp Nou in 2014, Vermaelen has made just 20 appearances in all competitions, and the Belgian spent the last campaign playing a bit-part role on loan at Roma.
It had been expected that the 31-year-old would be allowed to move to another club but according to AS, Valverde has been impressed with his efforts during pre-season.
Over the weekend, West Bromwich Albion had been linked with a move for the left-sided defender and are able to offer regular action to a player who enjoyed a five-year spell with Arsenal between 2009 and 2014.
However, it appears that Valverde will offer him the option of remaining at the Catalan giants to act as understudy to the likes of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti.
Vermaelen still has two years remaining on his existing contract at last season's La Liga runners-up.
Darren Plant
