The Telegraph has reported that a deal for Manchester United to take Thomas Vermaelen to Old Trafford has stalled due to the clubs being unable to agree the terms of the transfer.
Manchester United reportedly want to take the player on a straight cash deal but Arsenal seemingly want a swap deal.
The suggestion is that Arsene Wenger fancies young England defender Chris Smalling and wants him to come in the opposite direction.
Their preference would be to get players as well as cash from Manchester United for Vermaelen. That would clearly depend upon Louis van Gaal’s attitude and it is unclear which Manchester United players Arsene Wenger would like. Wenger did previously bid for Chris Smalling prior to his move from Fulham to Manchester United.
Vermaelen is obviously an experienced and quality footballer who adds genuine goal threat to his overall defensive abilities.
Chris Smalling had a terrible time when farmed out to right back by then Manchester United manager David Moyes last season. But we think that, while he simply can’t play full back, he is a very promising centre back.
He’s got great raw material to do become an England centre back of the future. He’s been let down by his footwork a little bit at times over the last season but he has generally got a good first touch.
Add great pace and aerial ability and we think Smalling would definitely be worth keeping.
In fact, any swap deal with Smalling involved seems ridiculous, as we think he would be worth more than Vermaelen at the age of just 24.
So if these are Arsenal’s terms then we simply can’t see the deal happening, unless Vermaelen tries to force his way out of the club.
Let’s have a look at Vermaelen in action. Manchester United fans: is he worth swapping for Smalling?
