SportingPost
HomeNewsArsenal star Thomas Vermaelen set for Barcelona

Arsenal star Thomas Vermaelen set for Barcelona

Share This
Steven Deeks
 @ August 3rd, 2014

Barcelona look to have won the race for Arsenal star Thomas Vermaelen after the Londoners refused to sell the defender to Premier League rivals Manchester United, according to reports.

The Catalans have agreed a £10m fee with the Gunners as they seek to boost their defence ahead of the new season. The Spanish giants were believed to be stepping up their interest in Vermaelen after seeing a £34m bid for their top target, Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos, rejected.

Arsene Wenger wanted to keep the Belgium international, who struggled for appearances last season, but after granting the player’s wish to leave put his foot down in preventing him joining their English rivals, according to The Mirror.

United boss Louis van Gaal has been looking at reinforcing the club’s options in defence but has now said he is happy if he does not sign any players.

Vermaelen joined Arsenal in the summer of 2009 from Dutch giants Ajax and has scored 13 goals for the Emirates Stadium outfit during that time.

 

Author