Gunners ready to offload Belgian centre back.
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Arsenal are reportedly ready to cut their losses on Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen according to The Sun.
The centre back arrived from Ajax four years ago with a reputation as one of the most promising defenders in Europe.
But the player has failed to live up to expectations despite being made captain at the club.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s patience finally ran out during the campaign after a number of high profile errors cost the club valuable points as they fought for a place in the Champions League.
Wenger is keen to prevent a repeat this season and will move the player on in the coming months.
Such is the club’s desire to get rid of Vermaelen, they are willing to sell him at half the £10 million fee they paid for him.
That news is likely to be of interest to Spanish side Barcelona. The Catalan giants are looking for a replacement for the ageing Carlos Puyol and will be especially interested in the Belgian’s low price.
Vermaelen’s departure will make space for new arrivals with the club thought to be amongst the leading contenders for the signature of Swansea’s Ashley Williams.
Vermaelen is set to be followed out of the Arsenal exit door by Marouane Chamakh, Andrey Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, Park Chu-Young and Andre Santos.