Barcelona Set To Hijack Man Utd’s Move With £16m Vermaelen Bid

The summer transfer window is now open for business and it’s expected to be a busy few weeks as managers strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Barcelona are set to bid £16m for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Barcelona look set to hijack Manchester United’s move for Thomas Vermaelen by testing Arsenal’s resolve with a £16m bid for the defender, according to reports.

Vermaelen lost his place in Arsene Wenger’s starting eleven 18 months ago and was restricted to just 14 appearances in the league last season, with many of those coming as a second half substitute.

His lack of regular action has led to speculation he’s looking for a move this summer and Manchester United have been strongly linked in recent weeks, with Louis van Gaal reportedly keen on offering him a fresh start in his new-look side at Old Trafford.

The Dutch coach is on the look-out for an experienced centre-back after seeing both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic leave this summer, and the Belgian international appears to have emerged as a key target.

Recent reports have claimed that United are prepared to pay £10m for the 28-year-old, while other rumours suggest Wenger is demanding either Chris Smalling or Phil Jones plus cash in exchange for his former skipper.

However, it looks like United are now going to face some stiff competition for Vermaelen’s signature with the Express reporting today that Barcelona are set to make a £16m bid after failing in their attempts to land PSG defender Marquinhos.

The Catalans have already snapped up Jeremy Matheiu from Valencia but new boss Luis Enrique is believed to still be keen on bringing in further defensive reinforcements and has now set to turn his attention to Vermaelen.

Arsenal still haven’t given up hope of hanging on to the Belgian but the defender is understandably keen to resurrect his career and with just one year left on his current deal, the Gunners may decide it’s best to cash in now rather than lose him for nothing next summer.

The former Ajax man is expected to hold talks with Wenger next week when his future will be resolved, but all signs are pointing to a move and it looks like it’s going to be a straight fight between United and Barca.

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Arsenal would probably prefer to sell abroad rather than to a domestic rival and if these reports are accurate, then the La Liga giants are also going to be offering better financial terms, so you’d have to say a move to Spain looks the most likely bet as it stands.