Thomas Vermaelen to Manchester United? Arsenal defender has 'no idea' where he will be playing next season

The Gunners captain is out of favour at the Emirates

Thomas Vermaelen could be heading towards the exit at Arsenal (Getty Images)

Thomas Vermaelen, the Arsenal captain, has admitted that he does not know where he will be playing next season, with Manchester United interested.

The Evening Standard revealed last month that the Old Trafford side are confident they will complete a £10m deal for the defender and the Belgium international, who has one year left on his contract, is refusing to commit himself to the north London club.

The 28-year-old flew home with the rest of the Belgium squad after they were knocked out of the World Cup by Argentina on Saturday and can now sort out his future.

Significantly, Vermaelen said: “I really do not know where I will play, Arsenal or elsewhere next season. All my attention went to the World Cup. I will see when I talk with Arsenal.”

New United coach Louis van Gaal is looking to strengthen his defence and sees Vermaelen, who he worked with during his time at Ajax, as the perfect replacement for the departed Rio Ferdinand.

He is on £70,000 a week at Arsenal but United are willing to pay him £100,000 a week.

Vermaelen’s expected departure will be eased by the club’s moves to strengthen key areas of the squad.

Arsenal are favourites to buy striker Alexis Sanchez in a £30m deal from Barcelona and are also on the verge of signing right-back Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle for £12m. A £23.8m move for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is unlikely to succeed with the Spanish club keen to keep him.

The Gunners will now turn their attention back to Bayer Leverkusen holding midfielder Lars Bender, who they tried to buy for £19m last year.