Vermaelen signs for Barcelona, Man U loses out

Arsenal skipper, Thomas Vermaelen, has joined Barcelona for £15million, putting paid to his much speculated move to Manchester United.

Vermaelen signed a five year deal believed to be worth £80,000-a-week.

The North London club definitely refused to sell him to their Premier League rivals. Arsene Wenger had given Manchester United a condition for getting the 28 year old defender which is including Chris Smalling as part of the deal.

The Belgian defender had been at Arsenal for five years, being captain for the two seasons. He found himself spending most of last season on the bench behind Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker

He played 150 times for the Gunners in all competitions, scoring 15 times from centre-back. He lifted the FA Cup last summer to end Arsenal's nine-year trophy drought. 

An Arsenal statement, posted on their website thanked their former captain and wished him well for the future.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Thomas for his contribution during his time at the club and wish him well for the future"

The move will come as a blow to Manchester United, who had hoped to sign the Belgian defender. However Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refused to sell to his Premier League rivals unless England's Chris Smalling was included as part of a swap deal.