Wenger hints Man U is pursuing Vermaelen

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted on Thursday that Premier League rival Manchester United is one of several clubs pursuing the signature of Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Vermaelen, 28, is Arsenal's club captain, but he lost his starting spot last season and has been linked with clubs including United and Barcelona.

Wenger confirmed at a media conference that Arsenal had received bids for the left-footed centerback and when asked which clubs had made them, he said: "I can't tell you that, but you will know very soon."

Pressed as to whether United was one of the clubs to have expressed an interest, he said: "I think they could be in the group."

While Wenger would not comment on reports that Arsenal is asking for a fee of up to $25.3 million for Vermaelen, he conceded he was considering letting him leave.

"It could happen," said the Frenchman, whose side faces Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

"I've said since the start of preseason that it could happen that Thomas leaves us because he needs to play now.

"He had an outstanding attitude and behavior but he's in a position where it's difficult to stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity."

Wenger confirmed there were foreign teams among the clubs to have made enquiries about Vermaelen.

When he was asked if he would prefer to sell him to an overseas club, he said: "Ideally, yes."

Arsenal has been strongly linked with a move for Real Madrid's Sami Khedira but Wenger said his squad was already sufficiently well-stocked in central midfield.

"I don't know who has put him on the market. Is it his agent, or somebody else? I don't know. Is it the press?" said Wenger of Khedira, who tasted World Cup glory with Germany in Brazil.

"But we were never close to signing him. Jack Wilshere has come back fit and in midfield we have quite a few offensive midfielders or box-to-box players."

Wenger was also evasive when invited to discuss reports he has expressed an interest in signing Liverpool centerback Daniel Agger.

"I cannot give you any names specifically on who will join us at the moment," he said.

"We are not close to signing anybody and it would be the wrong information."

Wenger has brought four new players to the club during the close season in Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and David Ospina.

He said that he was open to making further signings but emphasized he already has a large group of players to work with.

"We have still 3 1/2 half weeks before the transfer market is closed. I am open to it," he said.

(China Daily 08/09/2014 page9)