Arsenal are lining up former Gunner, Thomas Vermaelen, as a last-minute defensive signing if the move for Shkodran Mustafi hits a dead wall.
That’s according to a report taken from Spanish newspaper, Sport, whose story has broken in The Mirror today as Arsene Wenger’s time to bring a centre-back runs out.
It’s a move that would probably please the impatient supporters who have been crying out for a top signing since the £34m capture of Granit Xhaka back in May.
Believe it or not, we’re now into August and with less than two weeks to go until the start of the season Wenger is getting desperate for someone to cover the injured Per Mertesacker.
With experience and a proven ability in the Premier League, 30-year-old Vermaelen could be the final piece of the jigsaw whilst costing half the price of the heavily linked Shkodran Mustafi.
Arsenal fans wouldn’t be getting the excitement of a big money move, they instead would have a man capable of sitting in the squad ready to be brought on when needed.
The likelihood of Mertesacker starting in defence this season already looked bleak, and Wenger may fancy going after a player with more years behind him that won’t be fazed by sitting on the bench.
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Luckily for Wenger, that’s been exactly the role Vermaelen has played at Barcelona since his switch to the Camp Nou back in 2014, making just 21 appearances in all competitions.
Barcelona would be willing to do business with the Gunners due to their healthy relationship when it comes to transfers, and they could ask for £6million-£10million for the Belgian.
Despite his age, the former Arsenal captain showed us what he can still do whilst on show in this summer’s Euro’s, and the move takes all of the risk away from such an important position.
Then again, Wenger got rid of him for a reason and he’ll know deep down that it’s a move that won’t please the fans one bit, he needs almost everyone on his side from the start and the only way to get that is to bring out the cheque book and go big.
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