Wenger refuses to sell star defender to rivals.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he rejected an offer from Manchester United to sign club captain Thomas Vermaelen as he would rather sell the player to a club overseas, according to Goal.com.
United boss Louis Van Gaal had targeted the Belgian international this summer after losing both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this summer and his approach to sign him was confirmed by the Gunners boss.
Spanish giants Barcelona are also keen to snap up the 28-year-old and may have the upper hand in their chase as Wenger admitted that he does not want to sell to a direct rival.
Wenger has recently been resigned to losing his captain after the player refused the chance to sign a new deal with the club.
Wenger told reporters: “Manchester United are part of the group (of bidders). He could leave.
“We have offers from abroad and ideally I would rather sell him to a club abroad. We’re in a position where it’s difficult to stand in his way.”
Barcelona are in the market to snap up a new defender following the retirement of the iconic Carles Puyol, and having given up on chasing Vermaelen’s international colleague Jan Vertonghen have now turned their attentions to the Gunners ace.
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