Arsenal have reportedly rejected Manchester United’s bid for their club captain Thomas Vermaelen, according to reports in the Mirror.
The 28 year old has just one year remaining on his current deal and is widely expected to seek an exit after falling down the pecking order due to the emergence of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker as the established centre back pairing.
The report states that Arsene Wenger has rejected United’s bid and will demand much more than Louis Van Gaal has offered before he will contemplate selling. The Gunners could still yet offer the Belgian defender a new contract to keep him at the club.
It further suggests Wenger may also ask for players to be included in any potential deal. The French manager would be reluctant to sell to a direct rival having been so heavily criticised for accepting United’s offer for Robin van Persie two years ago.
Vermaelen, who is currently on World Cup duty with Belgium, recently insisted he had not yet made a decision on his future. He said:
I know there has been a lot of talk and a lot of rumours but the only thing I can say is that it’s not true. Everybody understands my situation at Arsenal and that I have one year left.
We talk a lot when I am at Arsenal but it’s not what I am going to discuss here, it is something you are going to have to ask him.
The Verminator has spent more time on the bench than the Emirates turf last season. He was dropped owing to a dip in form in 2013 and with the subsequent blossoming partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, he now finds himself as backup rather than the first name on the team sheet – something you expect with the role of being club captain.
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He has done well, on every occasion he has been picked this season however injuries have hampered his campaign. He deserves immense credit for that because, he could easily have struggled when thrown in at the deep end for big games without a run in the side, yet he didn’t looked at all out of place when called upon.
He has always been an excellent defender, provided he has an able partner alongside him. It will be great for Arsenal to have a player as good as Vermaelen waiting in the wings for the inevitable injuries to strike and hopefully he will stay at the club by signing a new contract.
Will he leave this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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