Reports from the BBC claim that Arsenal have agreed a £15m offer from La Liga giants Barcelona to sell 28 year old defender Thomas Vermealen to the Catalan club. The Belgian is expected to agree personal terms with the Camp Nou outfit and the deal is expected to go through by the weekend. Manchester United were also interested in the defender but reportedly pulled out after failing to convince the Gunners to receive a player as part of the deal.
As the deal nears its end, Vermaelen’s five year stay with the London club is set to end after the player joined the Gunners on a £10m move from Dutch giants Ajax in 2009.
Persistent injuries and the brilliant form of central defensive duo of Koscielny and Mertesacker meant the left footed centre back only featured in 21 appearances in all competitions last season and manager Arsene Wenger admitted he couldn’t assure the player more game time in the coming season.
Wenger had earlier claimed,“He could leave, it could happen. I’ve said that since the start of pre-season. He needs to play now. He has shown an outstanding attitude but he is in a position where we wouldn’t stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity.”
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