Barcelona's Vermaelen arrives for Roma medical

Barcelona has granted permission for defender Thomas Vermaelen to undergo a medical with Roma following transfer negotiations between the two clubs.

The Giallorossi manager Luciano Spalletti conceded on Saturday that efforts were being made by sporting director Walter Sabatini to bring the Belgian to the Italian capital, and now it appears that talks over a deal have been successful.

"Walter is working on this deal, although for now we cannot say that it is done," Spalletti told Sky Sport, according to ESPN FC.

After proving himself an assured performer at the back through his five years at Arsenal, things haven't fared so well for Vermaelen in Catalonia. Repeated muscle injuries have restricted his opportunities for Barcelona, and the preferred defensive pairing of Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano have been difficult to usurp.

At Roma he would have to jump above either Kostas Manolas or Antonio Rudiger to win a spot in the back four. The latter suffered a damaging knee issue that ruled him out of Germany's Euro 2016 campaign, and looks to be unavailable for club duty until December.

Roma begins its 2016-17 Serie A campaign against Udinese on Aug. 20.