Man United and Barcelona to fight it out for Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen

Posted Sunday, August 03, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

MANCHESTER United and Barcelona will slug it out for the signature of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Man United and Barcelona to fight it out for Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen
VERMO MAN: The Arsenal skipper looks likely to leave the Emirates this summer

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he's losing the battle to keep his club captain who is frustrated at his lack of game time.

Vermaelen, 28, who joined Arsenal from Ajax for £9 million five years ago, has lost his place to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Now, the race is on to sign the classy Belgian star with United and Barca the two front runners after Wenger revealed: "For me he is a very important player but I couldn't give him the games that he wanted last year so we will see."

Barcelona couldn't guarantee him a regular start, either, so that leaves the way clear for United boss Louis van Gaal to step in and clinch a £10 million deal.

Van Gaal revealed on the club's American tour that he wants to sign a defender before the transfer window slams shut after losing both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Man United and Barcelona to fight it out for Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen

United have been linked with Mats Hummels, Daley Blind and Stefan de Vrij before he joined Lazio last month.

But Vermaelen is now the front runner and is seen by Van Gaal as the perfect fit into his new look three man defence for the coming season.

Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher has hailed the £58 million arrival of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, the only new arrivals at Old Trafford so far this summer.

Fletcher said: "First and foremost they are both great lads. They're also top quality players on the pitch.

"There's no doubt in my mind they are great acquisitions, not just for the quality they bring to the team right now but for what they'll bring in the future.

"They're both young and should have many years ahead of them here. I'm sure they will develop into real United players and help us win trophies.

"Ander is a really talented footballer and has great enthusiasm and energy in midfield. He always wants the ball and his enthusiasm is infectious.

"It's rubbed off on a few of us already. He wants to learn and listen and he's settled in really well. He's a good lad and is going to be a key player for United."