Rumour: Arsenal look to Manchester City's Matija Nastasic as cover for Thomas Vermaelen

Matija Nastasi?

Arsenal are mulling over a move for Manchester City’s Serbian international Matija Nastasi?, according to reports.

Arsene Wenger in recent comments has suggested that Thomas Vermaelen’s place at the club is not assured. He further stated that he will have to buy a new defender, if the ex-Ajax Amsterdam man indeed departs from North London.

That defender now seems to be young Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic.

Nastasic himself has been under cosh at the Etihad. After dislodging Joleon Lescott from the centre-back spot, he now faces stiff competition from a rejuvenated Martín Demichelis and the emerging Dedryck Boyata.

The Belgian Vermaelen now seems to be an afterthought for Wenger when it comes to looking at the future at the Emirates, with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny firmly slotted in at the centre-back spots at the Emirates.

Recent reports have suggested that Vermaelen himself might be interested in moving on from Arsenal in search of regular football with Manchester United looking like the favourites to get his signature.

It is being reported that Arsene Wenger has been a keen follower of Nastasi? ever since his Fiorentina days and is happy with his progress amongst ranks at Manchester City.

A deal, if done, would represent a reversal of sorts when it comes to transfers between these two clubs. Manchester City has been a favourite landing spot for a number of ex-Gunners in recent years with Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and most recently Bacary Sagna heading to Eastlands in search of silverware and huge salaries.