Arsenal
Vermaelen Linked With Manchester United Move As Wenger Considers Offloading Captain
Captain Thomas Vermaelen could be set to leave Arsenal this summer with champions Manchester United and Barcelona among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
With the summer transfer window set to re-open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Could Thomas Vermaelen follow RVP to United?
Vermaelen – set for United move?
Thomas Vermaelen could be set to leave Arsenal this summer with Manchester United and Barcelona among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation, according to the Mirror.
The Belgian defender was installed as the Gunners captain last summer following the departure of Robin van Persie but he was then ruthlessly axed from the first team following the clubs defeat away at Tottenham in March and was unable to force his way past Laurent Koscielny or Per Mertesacker during the final weeks of last season.
In Vermaelen’s absence, Arsenal won 8 out of their remaining 10 league games – keeping 5 clean sheets in the process – to clinch that all-important fourth spot with Koscielny and Mertesacker striking up an impressive partnership at the back.
It now seems the 27-year-old is facing a decisive summer with the Mirror claiming boss Arsene Wenger is ready to listen to offers for his club captain and champions Manchester United are understood to be among the clubs interested.
The newspaper suggests Vermaelen is keen to remain in north London – where he and his family are settled – to fight for his place but should United come calling this summer, Arsenal would be willing sellers and the centre-back could follow his good friend RVP to Old Trafford.
If he stays at Arsenal and continues to be a benchwarmer next season, the problem for Vermaelen will be potentially losing his place in the Belgian national team ahead of next summers World Cup in Brazil. However, if he was to make a move to United there is no guarantee of first team football either with David Moyes inheriting a wealth of centre-back options that include Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
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Do you think Vermaelen will still be at Arsenal next season? Would United fans want him? Get involved in the comments section below.
