West Ham United are planning to make a move for Barcelona central defender Thomas Vermaelen, according to reports from Spanish media outlet Fichajes.

Vermaelen has endured an injury-hit two-season spell at Barcelona since his £15million move from Arsenal back in the summer of 2014 and it is widely believed that the Catalan giants will be looking to dispense with the services of the Belgian international in this transfer window.

A move back to the Premier League has been touted for Vermaelen and now according to reports emerging out of Spain, it can be revealed that West Ham United are now ready to ramp up their pursuit to sign the 30-year-old.

The Hammers had been set to do battle with Liverpool for the former Ajax star but with a potential move to Anfield failing to materialise, Slaven Bilic could be left alone to land the centre-half who is valued at around £10m by Barca.