Rumour: Thomas Vermaelen targeted by Napoli

According to reports in Italy, Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is a target for Italian side Napoli.

The Belgian has struggled to gain a place in the Arsenal defence this season due to the solid partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny but due to the Frenchman’s injury, Vermaelen was able to get a run of games in the first team.

However, Koscielny is now back in the side which means the club captain returns to the substitutes bench, throwing his future up in the air.

Vermaelen is said to be top of a four-man transfer hitlist for the former Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez.

Naples newspaper Il Mattino also named Marseille’s Nicolas N’Koulou, Cagliari’s Davide Astori and Andrea Ranocchia of Inter as possible candidates for Benitez.

Despite Vermaelen sitting on the bench for most of the season, it is believed that Arsene Wenger is unwilling to let him leave the club, with new arrivals his only concern this month.

There are games coming up in quick succession for the Gunners right up until May so it is imperative that Wenger keeps a strong squad together. But Vermaelen will also be conscious of his status in the Belgium squad, with this summer’s World Cup on the horizon.