Rumour: Arsenal defender Vermaelen agrees shock move to Man Utd

Thomas Vermaelen set to leave Arsenal

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is said to have agreed in principle to join Premier League rivals Manchester United later in the summer for a fee of £10 million. Vermaelen, who just appeared in 14 games for Arsenal last season has got 1 year left on his contract.

The Belgian centre-back, who was signed by Arsene Wenger 5 years ago from Ajax got a brilliant start to his Arsenal career only to be curtailed by injuries. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been first-choice defenders since his tryst with injuries and Vermaelen has not got a look back in.

Though he is not a first-team starter anymore, the departure of Bacary Sagna and Vermaelen to the Manchester clubs would hurt Arsenal. Vermaelen is on a £70,000 per week payroll with Arsenal which could swell upto £100,000 per-week at Old Trafford.

Manager Louis Van Gaal, who managed Vermaelen at Ajax would look to rekindle the 28-year old’s career at Manchester United, who themselves are in dire need of experienced central defenders with the departure of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.