Vermaelen: A return to the Premier League isn't impossible Barcelona Could leave Catalonia next summer

Thomas Vermaelen's current contract expires at the end of the 2018/19 season and the Belgian hasn't ruled out a return to England.

It remains to be seen where he'll be playing his football next season and he is keeping an open mind.

"It is not impossible," he said in an interview with AFP when asked about a return to the Premier League, where he previously played for Arsenal.

"I have warm memories of my time in England and I was very happy there."

That's not to say he hasn't enjoyed his time at Barcelona.

Even if he hasn't played as much as he'd have hoped, through injuries and coaching decisions, he has learned a lot.

"I have no regrets," the Belgian said.

"I came here to be surrounded by the biggest players in the world and that is something very special.

"It is not easy to start every game, of course, but overall I've been very happy.

"To be on the pitch with these guys every day I feel very blessed."

He has been able to train against Lionel Messi every day and spoke about this challenge.

"In training he is the same as he is in matches," Vermaelen said.

"Imagine facing that every day!

He has made me a better player."

Vermaelen joined in the summer of 2014 from Arsenal, while he spent the 2016/17 season out on loan at Roma.