Rumour: Arsenal want Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley in swap deal for Thomas Vermaelen

Tom Cleverley

Manchester United have reportedly agreed terms with Thomas Vermaelen, and Arsenal want midfielder Tom Cleverley to be included in the deal for the defender, reports the Daily Mirror.

The Belgian defender only has one year left on his Arsenal deal, which means the Gunners wouldn’t be able to command a fee of more than £10 million. Vermaelen is Arsenal captain, but only started seven Premier League games last season due to the impressive form of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

As well as Cleverley, Arsene Wenger would also be interested in United’s Chris Smalling as a like-for-like replacement for Vermaelen in the Arsenal squad. If the captain moves to Old Trafford, there would only be two recognised first-team centre-backs at the club. The situation is made more precarious by Bacary Sagna’s impending departure, as he could play in the middle of the defence in an emergency.

Cleverley has come under fire for his Manchester United performances last season, and missed out on Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup squad, despite featuring heavily in the qualifying campaign.

The midfielder had been linked with a move to Everton, but a move to the Emirates would offer Champions League football.

Tom Cleverley had 89% pass accuracy last season, better than any other Manchester United player.