Arsenal, Barcelona agree £15m deal for Thomas Vermaelen transfer

Zee Media Bureau/Dattaraj Thaly

New Delhi: Arsenal and Barcelona have agreed a fee in the region of £15m for the transfer of Thomas Vermaelen to Camp Nou. The two clubs will make the news public as soon as the defender agrees personal terms with Barcelona and complete his medical. Despite there being strong indication that the 28-year-old would be on his way to Old Trafford, Arsene Wenger was determined to avoid another Robin van Persie like situation. Manchester United`s interest ended in the Belgium international as the North London club demanded a player in return to complete the transfer. Vermaelen`s move is expected to be completed by the weekend. He would be the fourth club captain after Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie to switch loyalties in recent memory. The Gunners signed the defender from Ajax in 2009 for £10. Vermaelen has 150 appearances to his credit in all competitions for Arsenal. However, Wenger will not be losing sleep over his captain leaving the club as his preferred pairing as centre-backs has been Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Mainly due to injuries, Vermaelen could manage only 21 appearances for Arsenal in 2013-14.