Wenger hints Vermaelen could join Manchester United
Opeyemi Oladunjoye
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has hinted that captain, Thomas Vermaelen could leave to join Manchester United.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield with Manchester City at Wembley, Wenger admitted United could be one of the clubs showing interest in the Belgian.
Vermaelen has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as Louis van Gaal looks to add experience to his squad, with Rio Ferdinand, Nemandja Vidic and Patrice Evra all having left United over the summer.
Wenger refused to discuss the size of the bids received but confirmed the club have received a number of offers for the Belgian.
“Have we received bids? Yes. I can’t tell you who from but you will know very soon,” he said. “Are Man United one of the teams to have made an offer? I think they could be in the group.”
When asked if Vermaelen could leave, Wenger said: “It could happen. I have said that since the start of pre-season, he could leave us because he needs to play now. We’re in a position where it’s difficult to stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity. We have sat down with Thomas and talked about his future.”
Wenger also revealed the club’s German players involved in their country’s World Cup success would miss the start of the season as Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski will all be given the chance to rest having featured in Brazil over the summer.
“They will be back on Monday. You can have the choice to bring them back quickly and then lose them again (injured) in October, or you give them much-needed rest to build them up again,” added Wenger.
The Frenchman however dismissed speculation he could make a bid for their compatriot, Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.
“I don’t know who has put him on the market. Is it his agent or somebody else, I don’t know,” he said. “We were never close to signing him. Jack Wilshere has come back fit and we have quite a few box-to-box midfielders.”
Wenger also confirmed Theo Walcott will miss the start of the new campaign, with the England player due to return at the end of August.
