Barcelona ready to move for Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen.
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Despite having spent much of the summer being linked to Premier League rivals Manchester United, it seems as though a potential move for Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona could be gaining traction, according to reports from the Metro.
New Barca manager Luis Enrique remains keen to strengthen his defence, despite securing the signing of Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia, with Vermaelen having emerged as a more cost effective alternative to Paris Saint Germain’s Marquinhos and Jan Vertonghen, from the Gunners’ fierce local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Ajax man initially impressed during his time at the Emirates Stadium, but has become more peripheral since Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny formed one of the Premier League’s tightest centre back pairings for the Gunners.
He is believed to available for around £10 million but, despite persistent rumours suggesting otherwise, a much-touted move to join up with Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford has failed to materialise.
This could open the door for Enrique, who knows that his side require a centre back but, having splashed out on both Mathieu and Luis Suarez, will also be aware of the need to reign in the spending somewhat.
Vermaelen could offer a happy middle ground, as a player with significant international and domestic experience who is available at a reasonable price.
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