Liverpool have been reportedly linked with a move for Barcelona outcast Thomas Vermaelen, according to Spanish newspaper SPORT.

Vermaelen, 30, is in his second season with the Spanish champions but has managed to feature only six La Liga starts this season.

The centre-back has made 14 starts in all competitions, failing to secure a regular spot at Camp Nou, made only one appearance late in the season after being ruled out with injury ever since arriving in the previous summer.

A return to the English Premier League is a sensible option that could reignite the career of the Belgian international, who previously captained Arsenal, where he established himself as a world-class defender, making 150 appearances for the Gunners.

With Kolo Toure‘s contract set to expire at the end of the season and Martin Skrtel strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, Vermaelen would be a useful cover for the Merseysiders.

Also, Liverpool are on the verge of signing Joel Matip this summer, having agreed a pre-contract agreement and Joe Gomez is likely to make a return from an ACL injury.

Here’s how Liverpool fans reacted to the news on Twitter…

Liverpool making a ‘first formal bid’ for Thomas Vermaelen?!? No thanks.
He definetly good enough but so fragile. #LFC #Vermaelen

— Kid Of The Horizon (@Vlottorama) April 27, 2016

Vermaelen, really? Like seriously… Come on now Liverpool. What do I know, I trust Klopp so… Yep. #LFC

— Ed Iputo (@reddie_eddie) April 27, 2016

ThisIsAnfield claims Liverpool are willing to pay just under £8m for Thomas Vermaelen this summer #LFC would be a good squad player

— StraightOuttaAnfield (@PureLFCTalk) April 27, 2016

Might as well forget about Sakho for a while then. Vermaelen not a bad cover, imo. #LFC

— #8 (@KingBasu1) April 27, 2016

I think Vermaelen would be a perfect signing for #LFC

— Spencer Tailford (@SpencerTailford) April 27, 2016

It would be the most Liverpool thing ever to sign Ben Arfa and Vermaelen but then not replace Mignolet. https://t.co/bmV14yRlYd

— ㅤ (@origiorgy) April 27, 2016