Arsenal: Offload Vermaelen And Look To Sign France International

It is being reported in the Metro that David Moyes is keen on taking Arsenal's defender Thomas Vermaelen as a replacement for Nemanja Vidic who is leaving in the Summer.

The Arsenal Captain has found it difficult to make the starting XI at the Emirates this season. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have shown they are one of the best defensive partnerships in European if not World Football and it could well be time for Vermaelen to be moved on.

Vermaelen is expected to want a move away and has been linked with several clubs in previous months, it is thought Arsenal would require a fee in the region of £12 million.

It could not possibly be a better time to sell the Arsenal Captain, he has falling far out of Arsene Wenger's plans and at his age it makes sense to get what you can for a player who clearly has his best days behind him. Vermaelen has only managed to make 12 appearances this season and was handed a starting place in yesterday's 4-1 win at home against Everton.

There are many good central defenders out there that could fill the void - though no more so than FC Porto's Eliaquim Hans Mangala. The powerful centre-half is both strong and athletic and would add some raw quality and depth to the squad. The 23-year-old Frenchman is expected to make France's World Cup squad for Brazil and has already been tipped to be one of the shining lights.

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