Skipper virtually confirms desire to exit Emirates.
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has reportedly turned down a new deal with the club in order to push through a move to Barcelona this summer, according to the Metro.
The 28-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his current deal and as such has been tracked by both Manchester United and Barcelona in recent months.
However, the Gunners were thought to be keen on avoiding selling him to a Premier League rival, which opened the door for him to make a £10m switch to Barcelona instead.
And reports close to the north Londoners have hinted that after Vermaelen refused to enter talks over a new deal he will now try to force through a move to Catalonia before the transfer window closes in the hope that Arsenal will not want to lose him for nothing next year.
Vermaelen joined Arsenal in the summer of 2009 from Dutch giants Ajax and has scored 15 goals in 130 appearances for the Emirates Stadium outfit during that time.
However, last term saw him relegated to the bench as he failed to break his way into the side ahead of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.
Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal had been keen on bringing him on board after losing both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
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