United closing in on Vermaelen

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Nick Powell of Wigan Athletic challenges Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal during the FA Cup Semi-Final match between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on April 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Nick Powell of Wigan Athletic challenges Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal during the FA Cup Semi-Final match between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on April 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Published Aug 7, 2014

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Manchester United are prepared to pay £15million to beat Barcelona to Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Manager Louis van Gaal is anxious for more signings and wants to close deals for Vermaelen and Ajax wing back Daley Blind before the season opener against Swansea City on August 16.

United accept they will have to pay a premium for Vermaelen, 28, because Arsenal would prefer to see him go to La Liga.

Barcelona have already made a £10m offer for the Belgium star but United have told Arsenal they will top it.

United yesterday made their third capture, Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic, but Van Gaal needs more defenders to play his preferred 3-4-3 formation. – Daily Mail

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