Thomas Vermaelen has arrived in Rome for a medical ahead of his loan move to join Wojciech Szczesny at Roma.

The former Arsenal captain endured a torrid time after leaving the club for the bright lights of the Spanish city, but as his legs fell apart, so did his dreams and he was relegated to being mostly a spectator during his time there.

Rumoured to fancy a return to Arsenal and have an offer from Liverpool, the Belgian has opted for Italy and Serie A.

Vermaelen is just one of a growing list of players who probably wish they’d rejected Barca’s siren song.

No doubt, when he’s hung up his boots, he can get out his phonebook and call up the likes of Alex Song who will no doubt tell him ‘things could be worse, you could have ended up in Russia.’

Vermaelen’s loan will cost Roma €2m for the season with an option buy for €10m available.

Arsenal sold Vermaelen to Barcelona for £16.15m.