Serie A side Inter Milan will offer Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen a January exit from the Emirates Stadium.
According to the Metro, the Italian giants are plotting an £8 million swoop for Belgian international Vermaelen, 27. Inter could even be willing to offer £10 million for him.
Having lost his place in the Gunners XI last term, Vermaelen has failed to dislodge the centre back pairing of Per Mertesacker and Lauren Koscielny.
Vermaelen hinted in September that if Arsene Wenger could not give him regular football in this World Cup season, then he may have to seek a move away from Arsenal.
Belgium qualified for the tournament in Brazil as winners of UEFA Group A. Vermaelen has been a regular under Marc Wilmots, but faces stiff competition from Premier League pair Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen as well as Bayern Munich veteran Daniel van Buyten.
Inter have recently come under new ownership following a takeover by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir.
Nerazzurri manager Walter Mazzarri is likely to be given money to spend in January. Milan have seven current first-team options that can play in central defence.
Mazzarri currently picks from Brazilian Juan Jesus, Italians Marco Andreolli and Andrea Ranocchia, Argentines Hugo Campagnaro and Walter Samuel, Romanian Cristian Chivu and Portuguese player Rolando on loan from Porto.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference before the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, Arsenal boss Wenger said of Vermaelen: “He is rightly frustrated.
“He has the quality to play, he behaves with a fantastic attitude and is a credit to our job. I can completely understand his frustration.”
Inter could follow up a deal for Vermaelen by moving for Sunderland winger Emanuele Giaccherini.
The 28-year-old has impressed in a struggling Black Cats since his summer switch from Juventus. Milan may bid £6.5 million for Giaccherini’s services.
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