Barcelona's Thomas Vermaelen calm over Premier League return

By Jefferson Lake

Image: Thomas Vermaelen has played 11 times in two years for Barcelona

Thomas Vermaelen insists he is not contemplating leave Barcelona despite being disappointed by a recent lack of first-team action.

The Belgian centre-back has made just 11 first-team appearances in La Liga since moving to the Nou Camp from Arsenal in the summer 2014 transfer window, although that has been partly due to several hamstring injuries.

Reports in Spain have linked Vermaelen - who is fifth choice at Barcelona behind Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Marc Bartra and Jeremy Mathieu - with a return to the Premier League with Liverpool this summer.

But the 30-year-old is not contemplating a move and instead says his sole focus is on Euro 2016 with his national side Belgium.

Image: Barcelona paid Arsenal £15m for Vermaelen in 2014

"It's not that I want to leave Barcelona but the last few weeks and months have been a bit disappointing because I haven't been getting a lot of playing time," he told Sky Sports News HQ.

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"It's not that I'm thinking about leaving at the moment. I'm just focused on my national team."

Vermaelen also feels his former club Arsenal can be pleased with the "great season" they had but admits they missed a good opportunity to win the Premier League title.

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"The last couple of weeks and months were a bit disappointing for them but before that they had a great season," he said.

"I thought they had a big chance to win it this year and hopefully next year they can go on and win it."

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