Manchester United transfer news: Thomas Vermaelen 'set for crunch talks' with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Belgian centre back has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford

Staff
Friday 01 August 2014 15:10 BST
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Thomas Vermaelen
Thomas Vermaelen (GETTY IMAGES)

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Arsene Wenger will hold talks with Arsenal club captain and Manchester United target Thomas Vermaelen, according to reports.

The Belgian centre-back has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer with Louis van Gaal in need of defensive reinforcements after the exits of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

Van Gaal said earlier this week he is still keen on signing another defender and Vermaelen seems the most likely, with Mats Hummels unlikely to be allowed to leave Borussia Dortmund.

The Daily Mail report that Wenger will hold talks with the defender, who did not travel to Austria with the first-team squad on Monday to work on his fitness.

Arsenal returned to London last night, and Wenger will hold talks in the coming days.

Despite being the club captain, Vermaelen knows the Arsenal boss sees Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as his first choice pairing.

Vermaelen struggled with injury and loss of form last season, starting just 14 Premier League matches for the club.

Liverpool and Barcelona are also believed to be interested in the 28-year-old.

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