Manchester United are set to miss out on Thomas Vermaelen, after the Belgian’s move to Old Trafford was believed to be off, as Arsenal blocked the deal for their captain.
The Belgian had been linked with a switch to United this summer, after falling behind Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the pecking order at the Emirates and Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, had admitted the 28-year-old could leave North London between now and the end of the transfer window.
Arsenal even confirmed United’s interest in their captain yesterday but have also made clear they’d rather sell him abroad than to direct Premier League rival and it has emerged than they’d been open to negotiations with United, only had Louis Van Gaal been happy to include Chris Smalling in the deal.
United didn’t want to see the England international leave this summer, meaning that Vermaelen is now likely to join Barcelona for a fee in the region of £15m, leaving United with just three centre-backs available with just eight days to go until the start of the season.
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