Arsenal Skipper Thomas Vermaelen Poised to Make Barcelona Switch as Fee is Agreed

Barcelona are understood to have agreed a fee of £15m for Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen after the Belgian's proposed move to Manchester United fell through.

Arsene Wenger confirmed on Thursday the club have received a number of offers for the 28-year-old, hinting that United were in the running for his signature.

The Gunners boss admitted he would prefer to see the player move abroad than join a domestic arrival and it would appear the club have rejected United's advances and will allow Vermaelen to move to the Nou Camp, according to PA Sport.

The La Liga giants will pay £15m to bring the player to the club.

Vermaelen made just 14 appearances for the club last season as he struggled to break the partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Speaking on Thursday, Wenger said of the centre half's imminent departure: "Look, it could happen. I've said since the start of pre-season that Thomas could leave us because he needs to play now.

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

Vermaelen, who arrived at the club for £10m from Ajax in 2009, was made club captain following the departure of Robin van Persie in 2012.

The club will now be expected to find a replacement for the defender with no recognised cover for Koscielny and Mertesacker in the Gunners squad and his teammate Aaron Ramsey believes his departure marks a big loss for the club.

"He's a fantastic player and a really good friend of mine as well so obviously, if it does happen, it would be a big loss for us," Ramsey said.

"But he is a bit frustrated over the last year, especially where he hasn't had the minutes he has wanted, so you can probably understand his frustrations."