Thomas Vermaelen’s future at Arsenal looks to be in serious doubt as the Belgian centre-back is unwilling to sign a new deal at the club.
The 28-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season’s campaign and the Gunners are keen to extend his stay at the Emirates.
However, it appears Vermaelen does not want to open talks over a new deal after being frozen out of the side last season.
And unless Arsene Wenger can sell him this summer, then Vermaelen has the right to sign a pre-contract with a club abroad in January.
Wenger would like to keep hold of his captain but wouldn’t like to lose him for nothing next year, and with the defender likely to seek a move away from the Emirates, having only started seven Premier League matches last term, the Arsenal boss could be forced to cash in this summer.
Manchester United, Barcelona and Napoli have all shown an interest in Vermaelen, but Arsenal would prefer to sell the Belgian abroad rather than to United.
United had an offer for the Belgium international rejected by the Gunners earlier this summer, and with the club expecting to hear from both Napoli and Barca in the upcoming days, Vermaelen’s future could be sorted out sooner rather than later.
