West Ham poised to make offer for former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen

WEST HAM are considering an offer for former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen – with the wantaway Barcelona star favouring a return to the Premier League.

The Belgian centre-back, 30, has already informed the Catalan giants that he wants to leave having returned from Euro 2016 duty with Belgium – and is considering offers from other teams having played just a handful of games in an unhappy two years at the Nou Camp.

With the recent signing of France defender Samuel Umtiti, he is surplus to requirements and Spanish newspaper Sport reports that only Italian club Roma have submitted an offer which Barcelona consider “insufficient” – and they are now waiting for an approach from Slaven Bilic‘s ambitious Hammers.

The east London club, who have moved into their new Olympic Stadium home, have reportedly expressed an interest but have not yet made a move – although Liverpool and Inter Milan could be poised to nab Vermaelen from under their noses if they do not act.

West Ham want to strengthen at the back after James Tomkins’ recent move to Crystal Palace – but Vermaelen’s injury record could prevent Bilic from taking the plunge.

Another stumbling block could be the asking price, with Barca accepting no less than £10million – and have also told the Hammers that any deal needs to be sorted by the end of the week.

Vermaelen played over 100 games for Arsenal after joining from Ajax in 2009 and was popular amongst Gunners fans, affectionately nicknaming him the “Verminator.”