Rumour: Thomas Vermaelen may opt for Arsenal exit in summer

Thomas Vermaelen may leave Arsenal this summer

According to various sources, Belgian international and Gunners captain Thomas Vermaelen may leave the club this summer following a season spent mostly on the bench.

The 28-year old centre back lost his starting place to the defensive duo – Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny – after a string of error-prone performances.

In spite of being the captain, he was unable to find himself in the starting line-up often in the last season. After the experimentation with Mertesacker and Koscielny at the back turned out to be a success, Arsene Wenger used Vermaelen only as a secondary option and for the cup games last season.

Both Mertesacker and Koscielny have signed new long-term contracts with Arsenal, which almost rules out any possibility of Vermaelen’s return to consistent first-team action. At 28, Vermaelen feels that there is plenty of first-team football left in him and hence could favour a move out of Arsenal seeking new challenges elsewhere.

Currently in Brazil, Vermaelen is tipped to play a major role in Belgium’s World Cup campaign. Consistent performances for his national side may garner interest from various clubs and also raise his market value.

Manchester United is currently in the race to sign the Belgian International and Arsenal could let him go if an offer meets their £8 million valuation.

If Vermaelen leaves the Emirates stadium after his five-year stint, he will become the second such senior defender to leave Arsenal this summer after Bacary Sagna.