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Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is said to have agreed in principle to join Premier League rivals Manchester United later in the summer for a fee of £10 million. Vermaelen, who just appeared in 14 games for Arsenal last season has got 1 year left on his contract.
The Belgian centre-back, who was signed by Arsene Wenger 5 years ago from Ajax got a brilliant start to his Arsenal career only to be curtailed by injuries. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been first-choice defenders since his tryst with injuries and Vermaelen has not got a look back in.
Though he is not a first-team starter anymore, the departure of Bacary Sagna and Vermaelen to the Manchester clubs would hurt Arsenal. Vermaelen is on a £70,000 per week payroll with Arsenal which could swell upto £100,000 per-week at Old Trafford.
Manager Louis Van Gaal, who managed Vermaelen at Ajax would look to rekindle the 28-year old’s career at Manchester United, who themselves are in dire need of experienced central defenders with the departure of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
