Thomas Vermaelen’s days at the Emirates look numbered, as the club continue their pursuit of Swansea City captain Ashley Williams.
The Belgian international spent most of the final two months of the season on the substitute’s bench, with Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker Arsene Wenger’s preferred pairing at the heart of defence.
The Daily Mail have reported that Vermaelen is fearful for his chances of appearing at next summer’s World Cup should he stay at Arsenal, with a plethora of his counterparts vying for a place alongside captain Vincent Kompany.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen, Bayern Munich’s Daniel van Buyten and Toby Alderweireld of Ajax are all competing for a place in the Belgian back line, meaning that Vermaelen may have to move on to put himself back in contention.
The Mirror have reported that Premier League champions Manchester United could be tempted to make a move for the 27 year old, who joined the Gunners from Ajax back in 2009.
Elsewhere, Andre Santos looks set to return to the club after Brazilian side Gremio revealed that they are unlikely to make a permanent offer for the left back who they have had on loan since January.
