Arsenal Captain Thomas Vermaelen Agrees Terms To Join Manchester United On £100k-Per-Week Deal

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Gunners defender agrees to United move.

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Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen looks set to make the move to Manchester United this summer after agreeing terms with the Old Trafford club, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Belgian centre-back has agreed in principle to make the controversial switch to Arsenal’s rivals, with the two clubs still to finalise the player’s fee, though a move is expected to take place after this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Vermaelen will earn an improved £100,000 per week with the 2013 Premier League champions, who had been desperate to strengthen defensively this summer after the departures of both Rio Ferdinand and former skipper Nemanja Vidic.

This will mark the second time in three years that Arsenal have sold their captain to the Red Devils, with Dutch striker Robin van Persie making the same move in the summer of 2012.

However, Vermaelen’s departure will not be seen as such a blow after a dip in form last season saw him fall behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the pecking order, with those two forming a fine defensive partnership for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Still, the 28-year-old’s exit will leave the Gunners somewhat short of backup options in defence, and the club’s fans will be disappointed to see another of their former favourites lining up for a major rival next season, with Bacary Sagna also recently leaving on a free transfer to Manchester City.

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