Former Arsenal Star Thanked By New Club For Turning Down Manchester United

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Barcelona show their gratitude to Vermaelen.

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New £15m FC Barcelona signing Thomas Vermaelen has been thanked by his new club for joining them from Arsenal instead of Manchester United.

The Red Devils were extremely keen to sign the 28-year-old as well, but in the end Vermaelen chose the Nou Camp over Old Trafford and Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is particularly pleased.

“He had offers from one of the biggest clubs in world football and we appreciate the fact that he chose to come here instead,” Zubizarreta was quoted by the Daily Mail.

Vermaelen completed his move to Catalonia on Saturday, but will have to wait a little longer before he starts playing for his new club as he is still carrying an injury from the 2014 World Cup.

Some were a little surprised that the Spanish giants had moved for the Belgium international, especially as he couldn’t get into the starting XI at the Emirates Stadium.

Vermaelen has also been given a five-year contract with the Catalans which considering his age seems somewhat ambitious from his new side.

United meanwhile fell behind in the race to sign the defender after only offering a three-year deal and also turning down a proposal from the Gunners to include Chris Smalling in a swap deal.

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