Vermaelen 'agrees to join United'

Thomas Vermaelen has reportedly agreed a deal in principle to join Manchester United from Arsenal next season.

The Belgian defender, who shares the same agent as Robin van Persie, has fallen down the pecking order at the Gunners and has decided to attempt to revive his career at Old Trafford, according to the Daily Telegraph.

New United boss Louis van Gaal is on the look out for experienced defenders following the exits of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, and Vermaelen’s Premier League pedigree is understood to have appealed to the Dutchman.

The 28-year-old has just one year left on his Arsenal contract, and with first-team football unlikely to be on the cards next season at the Emirates, Vermaelen is believed to have made the decision to end his five-year association with the Gunners and pocket a reported £100,000 per week at United.

Van Gaal must now attempt to agree a fee with Arsenal, who are unlikely to stand in their skipper’s way should United stump up Vermaelen’s £10million valuation.