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Thomas Vermaelen close to Barcelona move after Manchester United pull out Thomas Vermaelen close to Barcelona move after Manchester United pull out
(about 7 hours later)
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is close to a £15m move to Barcelona after a proposed switch to Manchester United broke down. Thomas Vermaelen is on the verge of a move from Arsenal to Barcelona that could be worth up to £15m to leave the north London club and Manchester United, who had wanted to take him, chasing a new central defensive signing.
The Belgium defender could complete a move to the Camp Nou over the weekend. United wanted to sign the defender but ended their interest on Friday after Louis van Gaal refused to include a player in exchange. Arsenal have been left with only Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as established options in the position, plus the £16m summer signing, Calum Chambers, who can provide cover and Arsène Wenger, the manager, is on record as saying that Vermaelen’s sale would necessitate a push for a replacement.
The new United manager had considered the Belgium centre-back to be a candidate to fill the left-sided position in the back three of the 3-5-2 system he is aiming to implement at Old Trafford this season. United’s need is pressing, particularly as the new manager, Louis van Gaal, intends to play with three centre-halves. His move for Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels has been rebuffed and, at present, his established options are restricted to Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
However, Arsène Wenger has steadfastly refused to sell to their rivals unless a swap deal could be agreed and Van Gaal is not prepared to consider that. United refused to consider the inclusion of either Jones or Smalling in their move for Vermaelen – Wenger had floated the idea of a part-exchange – and they knew that Arsenal would rather sell to an overseas club. Vermaelen, disgruntled last season at his place below Mertesacker and Koscielny in the pecking order, had been ready to join United, where he could have linked up with his friend and former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie.
On Thursday Wenger all but admitted United were one of the clubs interested in the defender and refused to discuss the size of the bids received but confirmed Arsenal have received offers for the Belgian. But Barcelona have come through with the offer of a five-year contract, which is acceptable to Vermaelen, and a fee to satisfy Arsenal. The initial payment is believed to be around £12m. The length of the proposed deal from United was four years. Vermaelen’s Arsenal contract was due to expire next summer.
“Have we received bids? Yes. I can’t tell you who from but you will know very soon,” Wenger said. “Are Man United one of the teams to have made an offer? I think they could be in the group.” Wenger will have to appoint a new captain – despite his bit-part player role last season, Vermaelen retained the armband – and the manager will chose between Mikel Arteta, the vice-captain, who has one year to run on his contract, and Per Mertesacker.
Vermaelen, who arrived from Ajax in 2009, made 21 appearances for Arsenal last season. Niggling injuries and the form of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker limited his impact. However, despite being an unused substitute at Wembley, he did lift the FA Cup in May as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought. Mertesacker will return to training on Monday, together with the club’s other Germany World Cup winners, Mesut Özil and Lukas Podolski, having had an extended summer break. Without Mertesacker, Wenger is expected to pair Koscielny with Chambers in Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City.
The 28-year-old has made 150 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 goals for the London club. All three Germans face a battle to be match fit for the Premier League opener at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday week, with Podolski’s future at the club in doubt. The forward has long been unhappy at how Wenger does not appear to consider him as a certain starter. The club would sell Podolski at the right price.