One of the more curious transfer rumours this summer concerns Manchester United’s interest in Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen. It’s an intriguing story, that seems to keep popping up again and again.
Of course, two summers ago, The Red Devils were chasing another Arsenal captain. Back then the player in question had a significantly higher profile. His name was Robin Van Persie. Since moving to Old Trafford the Dutchman has scored 48 goals in 76 appearances.
Thomas Vermaelen, on the other hand, is struggling to break back into the Arsenal first team. After falling out of contention over a year ago, he made just 21 appearances last season (many of which were as a substitute). It’s not immediately clear why Manchester United are interested.
Since the Belgian’s horror-show against Bayern Munich the season before last, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been running the show for The Gunners. They’re easily the clubs best centre-back pairing and it’s difficult to see Thomas Vermaelen leap-frogging them in the pecking order.
With that in mind, I’m sure the player in question would fancy a new opportunity at a big club. If Manchester United were to come knocking I’m sure he’d have his head turned. Whether Arsenal would be prepared to sell remains to be seen.
According to The Mirror, Manchester United are hoping to ‘land him’ for a ‘cut price fee of around £6m’. Unfortunately (for them), The Gunners are said to be holding out for at least £10m. Perhaps the two clubs could meet in the middle here?
Arsenal need a third choice centre-back, so they won’t be too keen to let a good option like Thomas Vermaelen go. That being said, a player like this one deserves regular game-time. If The Gunners can’t give him this, then they shouldn’t let him rot away on the bench.
Besides, it’s not like this is Robin Van Persie we’re talking about. Arsenal can afford to let Thomas Vermaelen go and maybe they should.
What’s your take? Should The Gunners sell another captain to Manchester United? Is Thomas Vermaelen expendable?
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at 6/8m he can come as cover and sit on our bench. better class of bench at least.
yernited.. bigger club, more trophies. but who in their right mind would prefer that dump of a city over london… Manchester.. where the birds fly upside down because there’s nothing worth sh****g on
Vermaelen should only be our last resort or 4th choice, Hummels and/or Da vrij, martins indi should be signed before him.
2 me he isnt even as good as phil jones he cant even make arsenal back 4.we dnt need underperformers.carvalho.hummels.de vrij.di maria and jaamabt bcos of rafael and we are ready to go