Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours Surrounding Luis Enrique's Side

Thomas Vermaelen may be set for a shock return to the Premier League in January. Arsenal and Manchester United are both reportedly interested in bringing the Barcelona defender back to England on loan in the new year.

The Belgian moved to the Camp Nou from the Gunners in the summer for £15 million but has yet to make his debut under Luis Enrique because of a long-term hamstring injury.

Vermaelen suffered a further set-back recently, and Barca are reportedly open to sending him out on loan in January as part of his rehabilitation, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Inside Spanish Football's Tom Conn):

However, any possible deal cannot be made until the severity of Vermaelen's newest injury is determined.

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta admitted concern for the player on Monday, per Conn's report: "Operation for Vermaelen? I don’t know, the doctors will decide, we’ll do what’s best for him. We’re worried about his situation."

Considering their respective weaknesses in defence, Arsenal and United would be unsurprising destinations for the Belgium international, assuming he is indeed fit enough for a loan move in January.

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Louis van Gaal was forced to deploy 20-year-old Tyler Blackett and 19-year-old Paddy McNair on Saturday against the Gunners because of United's lengthening injury list.

The Red Devils won 2-1, exposing Arsenal's own defensive issues, which have also been exacerbated by injuries to Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy.

However, neither side would be well advised to move for Vermaelen. He is clearly a fitness liability, despite being a top defender on his day.

A loan deal would also only be a short-term fix. Both United and Arsenal need to make long-term defensive signings and leave Vermaelen to get on with his recovery at the Camp Nou.

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Barcelona could reportedly see the departure of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in January, though, with Anthony Chapman in the Daily Express suggesting he is unhappy at the club.

The 22-year-old Ter Stegen made a €12 million (£9.5 million) switch to Barca from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer but has played second fiddle to Claudio Bravo throughout the term and is yet to make a La Liga appearance.

With current Red Devils No. 1 David De Gea linked to Real Madrid, Chapman reports that Manchester United could move for the German international.

Ter Stegen has great potential and could well be a world-class stopper in the future. His impressive distribution skills are a standout feature of his game, per Spanish football writer Sergi Dominguez:

However, it is that potential which makes it very unlikely that Enrique would allow Ter Stegen to leave the Camp Nou, as he could become a Barca star in the future.

With Barcelona's transfer ban in place until January 2016, they will be eager to keep as many players on their books as possible who can contribute in 2015. That means keeping hold of players like Ter Stegen, who add such important depth to the squad.