Arsenal Transfer News: Barcelona Move Best Solution for Thomas Vermaelen Saga

Barcelona are reportedly in pole position for Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, and a new adventure away from the Premier League would present both club and player the best solution.

Sky Sports (via Fox Sports) understand the Blaugrana have already made a £10 million offer, edging ahead of Manchester United in the race for the Belgian international.

Arsene Wenger commented on the situation, telling reporters he understands why the player wants to leave:

"

At the moment, he is here. It could happen. Yes, it's a possibility that he goes and if he goes we have to replace him because he is an important player in our squad. I expect him to stay but of course he did not play enough games last year. For me he is a very important player but I couldn't give him the games that he wanted last year so I will see.

"

According to the London Evening Standard's James Olley, the Gunners would much prefer to sell the Verminator to a foreign club, and they'll only consider the Red Devils as a last resort:

"

Vermaelen is open to a move to United but Arsenal would prefer to sell abroad and avoid selling their captain to Old Trafford for the second time in three years.

The Gunners are wary of selling to United for several reasons, not least the backlash they faced when allowing Robin van Persie to make the same move in 2012.

"

Wenger still hopes his captain will stay at the club, as he told Sky Sports, but at this point that scenario seems unlikely. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have a firm grip on the positions in Arsenal's starting XI, and Vermaelen hasn't aided his cause by looking uncomfortable when filling in on the left side.

The 28-year-old is still a strong defender with a lot of Premier League experience, and even as a bench player, he could be a valuable asset to Arsenal. Finding a replacement with a similar pedigree in short notice won't be easy.

There's a reason Barcelona are reportedly interested. It wasn't all that long ago Vermaelen was viewed as one of the Premier League's best up-and-coming defenders, and a change of scenery could help him rediscover that form.

Belgian national team coach Marc Wilmots is surely only interested in starting players who are regular starters for their club teams, and it doesn't look like that's going to be the case for Vermaelen at Arsenal anytime soon.

That's not to say he would be a guaranteed starter with Barcelona, but if he believes his future would be brighter with the Blaugrana, the Gunners should cash in. The Guardian's Nooruddean Choudry isn't as surprised as some the Catalan giants would show interest in the player:

Vermaelen has done enough for Arsenal to leave the club with his head held high, and his transfer value isn't likely to rise in the near future. Financially speaking, the time to sell is now.

A £10 million deal would be solid value for Arsenal, but more importantly, the club would avoid having to watch yet another former club captain suiting up for United. Seeing former players bolt for a direct rival just isn't a good look, and it doesn't sit well with the fans.

In Calum Chambers, the Gunners have brought in a player with the potential to fill Vermaelen's slot as the primary backup to Mertesacker and Koscielny at some point in the near future. A more experienced option to help the team immediately would be welcome, and the Belgian's transfer fee could be used to acquire such a player.

The rumours surrounding Vermaelen's future can only end in two ways: A clear signal he's still a part of Arsenal's long-term plans, or a transfer to a new club. In Barcelona, at least the Gunners would find an interested party that would limit the fallout when the club eventually chooses the latter option.

Follow @ReverschPass