Arsenal Captain Thomas Vermaelen Agrees Move to Manchester United

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has agreed a sensational transfer to Manchester United, according to reports.

Vermaelen, Arsenal's club captain, is thought to have been offered £100,000 a week to move to Old Trafford when he returns from the World Cup.

The Belgian international, who can play either centre-back or left-back, is thought to be earning around £70,000 a week at the Emirates. Because he has less than a year left on his contract, he is likely to be available for a relatively small fee.

However many United fans are likely to be underwhelmed by the signing, as Vermaelen struggled to get into the Arsenal team on a regular basis last season, having lost his place to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

The former Ajax defender cost Arsenal £10m in 2009 and has made 110 appearances for the North London club.

United have already been linked with a host of defenders this summer, including Luke Shaw, Eliaquim Mangala and Ezequiel Garay, however it appears new manager Louis van Gaal has chosen to make Vermaelen his first signing.