Italian giants AS Roma are on the verge of signing Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Vermaelen has struggled with persistent injuries since his £15million move from Arsenal to Barcelona back in 2014 and as a result, the Catalan giants are now keen on dispensing with the services of the Belgian international this summer.

A move back to England with Arsenal had been seen as a possibility for Vermaelen but now according to reputed journalist Di Marzio, the 30-year-old is close to agreeing a deal with Italian giants Roma instead.