By David Ornstein
BBC Sport
Arsenal have agreed a fee of about £15m with Barcelona for the sale of captain Thomas Vermaelen.The 28-year-old Belgium centre-back must now agree personal terms with the Catalan giants and pass a medical.Vermaelen was a target for Manchester United but they ended their interest after refusing Arsenal's demand to receive a player as part of the deal.
The move to Barcelona is likely to be completed this weekend, ending Vermaelen's five-year stay in London.Vermaelen joined Arsenal from Ajax for £10m in 2009 and has made 150 appearances in all competitions.
But he was troubled by a series of injuries and lost his place at centre-back last season
as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger favoured Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as his first-choice pairing.
Vermaelen's form and fitness meant he made just 21 appearances in all competitions last term and Wenger admitted this week that the player needed to move on.
"He could leave, it could happen. I've said that since the start of pre-season," said Wenger.
"He needs to play now. He has shown an outstanding attitude but he is in a position where we wouldn't stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity."
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28705483
Premier League: Manchester United end pursuit of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen Manchester United have ended their pursuit of Thomas Vermaelen after refusing to consider a player-swap deal with Arsenal, according to Sky sources. Vermaelen, who is also reported to be wanted by Barcelona, had been linked with a move to Old Trafford but it is understood Arsenal were not prepared to sanction a direct sale to United. New United boss Louis van Gaal wanted to bring in the Belgian defender to add experience to his squad
following the summer departures of Rio Ferdinand, Nemandja Vidic and Patrice Evra.
Earlier this week Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave a strong hint that Vermaelen would be leaving and that United was a possible destination.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield with Manchester City at Wembley,
Wenger admitted there had been interest in his captain but refused to reveal who had been in touch, although he did confirm United “could be in the group”.
"Have we received bids? Yes. I can't tell you who from but you will know very soon," he said.
"Are Man United one of the teams to have made an offer? I think they could be in the group."
Vermaelen has been at Arsenal since 2009 and remains their official club captain,
but he was not a regular started last season as Wenger preferred to partner Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker together in central defence.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9410895/premier-league-manchester-united-end-pursuit-of-arsenal-defender-thomas-vermaelen [/img]
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