Arsenal to Bid For Manchester City's Matija Nastasic as Vermaelen Nears Exit

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly turned his attention to Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic as the Gunners boss prepares to lose Thomas Vermaelen.

Wenger is resigned to losing his Belgian captain to either Barcelona or Manchester United with the Frenchman preferring to sell to the Catalan club than his Old Trafford Premier League rivals.

His attention has now turned to possible replacements with City's Matija Nastasic high on his wish list.

The 21-year-old Serbian lost his place in the City side to Martin Demichelis last season after an injury-plagued season reduced him to just 13 league appearances as the Blues regained the Premier League title.

He has made 34 appearances for City since signing from Serie A club Fiorentina in 2012 for about €15m (£11.9m) on a five-year contract.

But with the Blues' signing of Porto centre back Eliaquim Mangala expected to go through soon, places in City's backline could be limited and competition stiff.

But according to The Express, Wenger is willing to offer the 6ft 2in centre back a way out of the Etihad as he prepares to fight off interest from Italian champions Juventus for Nastasic's signature.

The Turin-club's manager Massimiliano Allegri also rates Nastasic and sees him as the ideal solution to his defensive woes, which include the injury to Andrea Barzagli.

The Bianconeri have also loaned Mauricio Isla to Premier League new boys QPR for a season.

Meanwhile, City are preparing for the future by reportedly offering captain Vincent Kompany a bumper six-year deal.

The new contract, which will see the Belgian earn £200,000-a-week, will take the City captain up to his 34th birthday and effectively means he will end his career at the Etihad.