Chelsea are lining up a shock move for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen in the summer according to reports in the Guardian.
We had earlier reported that the Belgian is well on the radar of Italian side Napoli as he has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal thanks to mercurial rise of the centre back defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.
Vermaelen’s contract at the Emirates is due to expire in the summer of 2015 as he might walk way from London in the summer. In an injury ravaged season, the 28 year old has featured in only eight appearances but that hasn’t deterred other clubs from pursuing the former Ajax player, who came up in the ranks of the youth academy in the legendary club.
It is also believed that Jose Mourinho is planning to reinforce his back line in the summer with David Luiz being linked to Barcelona. John Terry isn’t getting any younger and it means that the Portuguese manager has identified the Belgian as a cut price option.
Vermaelen’s agent Alex Kroes however claimed that he will be willing to listen to offers for his client only beyond the World Cup.
“Yes Napoli have been on the player and have stepped forward, but just as the Neapolitans have, other clubs have shown their interest and not just Italian clubs. You cannot say, though, that the player is close to a transfer to Napoli.”
“I repeat – wait until after the World Cup, where Vermaelen is going to do his best, then we will face any kind of discourse for his future.”
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
