Barcelona denied chance to sign replacement for Vermaelen outside transfer window
Gustau Nacarino / REUTERS
FIFA blocked Barecelona's attempt to sign a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen after it was discovered the defender's injured hamstring will keep him out for several months.
The La Liga club made the request despite their year-long transfer embargo and cited "exceptional situations" in their attempt to bring in a replacement, according to the Daily Mail.
The Belgium international transferred to Barcelona from Arsenal during the summer and has yet to appear in a match for the Catalan giants.
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