The Catalans looking to beat Man United to Vermaelen.
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is the subject of interest for both Barcelona and Manchester United and the former have submitted a £10m bid for the defender, reports Sky Sports.
The future of the Belgium international at the Emirates Stadium has been in doubt for some time ever since losing his place in the starting XI.
Manager Arsene Wenger prefers the central defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker and this has left Vermaelen on the periphery somewhat.
Also, with the 28-year-old having entered the final year of his current contract in North London the Gunners may well look to cash in on the Belgian rather than face losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Wenger has already admitted that Vermaelen could well leave the club, which has alerted Barca and the Red Devils.
The Catalans view the skipper as a long-term replacement for the recently retired Carles Puyol and now look to have moved ahead of United in the running.
They also have the added bonus of being able to offer Champions League football, which the 13-time Premier League champions cannot after their disastrous 2013/14 campaign.
The North Londoners would be keener to allow Vermaelen to move to La Liga as well, rather than selling another of their players to a direct rival.
READ MORE: Arsenal transfer rumours.
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