Arsenal
Arsenal Fans Set For More Mysery? Man Utd Favourites To Land Gunners Ace
Reports are claiming that Manchester United are leading the race to sign out-of-favour Belgian defender Thomas Vermaleen from rivals Arsenal this summer.
As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Man Utd are linked with Thomas Vermaelen.
Image: Daily Mail
It hasn’t been an easy few days for Arsenal fans as they’ve had to watch former captain Cesc Fabregas join Chelsea while long-serving right-back Bacary Sagna left for Manchester City on a free transfer.
Well things could be about to get even worse for the red half of north London with reports claiming that Manchester United are leading the race to sign centre-back Thomas Vermaelen this summer.
The Belgian international fell out-of-favour under Arsene Wenger 18 months ago following a horror-show against rivals Tottenham and despite still being the official club captain, the 28-year-old spent much of last season warming the bench.
In his absence, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have formed an excellent partnership at the back and Vermaelen’s chances of breaking back into the first team set-up next season look extremely limited.
With just one year remaining on his current deal at the Emirates, Arsenal could decide to cash in now rather than risk losing the former Ajax defender for nothing in 12 months time, as he’s unlikely to sign an extension while he’s not starting on a regular basis.
Vermaelen’s possible availability appears to have alerted Manchester United with the Daily Star claiming that the Red Devils are now leading the likes of Juventus and Fiorentina in the race for his signature.
The newspaper points out that several bookmakers have United down as the 5/2 favourites to sign Vermaelen this summer, and they suggest that boss Arsene Wenger is willing to do business with United, despite the fact it’s sure likely to further frustrate the Arsenal fans who have become tired of seeing their players join their domestic rivals over the years.
New United boss Louis van Gaal is expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer as he looks to rebuild a squad that finished way down in seventh place last season. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both leaving, a new centre-back is on the agenda and Vermaelen would be a useful option as he would bring with him bags of experience and knowledge of the Premier League.
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Whether they’ll be able to agree a deal with Arsenal remains to be seen but the bookies seem to think Old Trafford is the Belgian’s most likely destination, so Vermaelen could be about to make it Arsenal’s last four captains that will have ended up joining a rival, following in the footsteps of Fabregas (Chelsea), Gallas (Spurs) and van Persie (Man Utd).
