Rumour: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger holds up Man United’s deal for Thomas Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen in training with the Belgian national team

Thomas Vermaelen’s proposed move to Manchester United from Arsenal is being held up as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks to bring in a replacement before he sanctions the move.

United need a new centre back following the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand and the club have targeted Arsenal skipper Vermaelen.

However Goal report that whilst Wenger accepts that Vermalen wants to move on he won’t allow the Belgian centre back to move until he can find a replacement.

Wenger reportedly wants to bring in a defender with Premier League experience to provide competition to the first choice pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

The fee for Vermaelen is believed to be around £8 million and although the player still has a year left on his contract Arsenal are happy to let him leave this summer.

His departure will make him the second defender to leave the North London club with Bacary Sagna having already joined Premier League champions Manchester City.