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Barcelona should go after Thilo Kehrer as a long-term signing

By Chiranjib Ghosh

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JULY 16: Thilo Kehrer of FC Schalke 04 poses during the team presentation at Veltins Arena on July 16, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JULY 16: Thilo Kehrer of FC Schalke 04 poses during the team presentation at Veltins Arena on July 16, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Thomas Vermaelen is expected to leave the club when his contract expires

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – APRIL 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Thilo Kehrer of Schalke gestures during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Veltins-Arena on April 28, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – APRIL 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Thilo Kehrer of Schalke gestures during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Veltins-Arena on April 28, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images) /

Thomas Vermaelen has the favour of Ernesto Valverde, and he has earned it with his performances last season. When Samuel Umtiti was injured and Javier Mascherano was being linked with a move away from the Camp Nou, Vermaelen stepped in and excelled.

The 32-year old Belgian centre-back worked in tandem with Gerard Piqué, and performed brilliantly as Barcelona won the first El Clásico of the season, setting up the platform for the domestic double.

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But the management is unlikely to extend Vermaelen’s contract, which expires in 2019. He may be experienced, but he is declining, and the club will be needing a replacement for him. Éric Abidal has been putting in the hours this summer, and he should tie up Vermaelen’s replacement as well.

Thilo Kehrer is one of the hottest prospects in the Bundesliga. He broke into the Schalke first-team last season, and made 33 appearances in all competitions. The 21-year old German centre-back is a strong tackler of the ball, and has decent dribbling skills, despite poor aerial ability.

He has attracted interest from top European clubs. But his contract expires next summer, and the club should look to take advantage of that. Kehrer could be a good replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, and the entire operation could be carried out without any money involved.

Next. Barça want Dani Parejo. dark

Éric Abidal should look to begin negotiations with Thilo Kehrer’s representatives, and make him sign a pre-contract agreement to tie him down for next summer.