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Cape Town - Manchester United have ended their pursuit of Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen after Arsenal refused to let the Belgian international leave the Emirates for a direct sale.
United manager Louis van Gaal has been targeting Vermaelen for quite a while and a transfer to Old Trafford seemed imminent. According to Sky Sports Sources however, Arsene Wenger has refused to accept the proposed transfer, insisting on a player-swap deal.
Wenger suggested earlier during the week that Vermaelen was definitely on his way out of the Emirates. With the United deal turning cold, Barcelona, who were also targeting the defender, could see the 28-year-old at the Camp Nou before they know it.
"Ideally, yes, we would like to sell him abroad and that is an option for us", Wenger said.
"I don't want to say how many offers we have but we have offers from abroad as well."
“He has shown an outstanding attitude but he is in a position where we wouldn't stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity."
United manager Louis van Gaal has been targeting Vermaelen for quite a while and a transfer to Old Trafford seemed imminent. According to Sky Sports Sources however, Arsene Wenger has refused to accept the proposed transfer, insisting on a player-swap deal.
Wenger suggested earlier during the week that Vermaelen was definitely on his way out of the Emirates. With the United deal turning cold, Barcelona, who were also targeting the defender, could see the 28-year-old at the Camp Nou before they know it.
"Ideally, yes, we would like to sell him abroad and that is an option for us", Wenger said.
"I don't want to say how many offers we have but we have offers from abroad as well."
“He has shown an outstanding attitude but he is in a position where we wouldn't stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity."
