"Thomas Vermaelen may leave" - Wenger

[LDG]

I do wonder how much influence RVC has had on Vermaelen too. They're best buds apparently, so I wouldn't be surprised whether there has been some undercurrent there too.

Afterall, RVC is a complete and utter cunt.

[GP]

Literally worse than Hitler.

[Penguin]

Is it really worth £10m to keep Vermaelen for one season? It would only be worth that If keeping him directly results in getting us a trophy, which I doubt considering his performances over the last two seasons. I'd personally rather let him go now and use the money to invest in a better CB.

It's actually a good opportunity to build some depth in our defense. We've got out 4th choice sorted out in Chambers, but we need a reliable, experienced player that can genuinely push Mertecienly for a place in the side, and possibly even keep him out of the side. Vermaelen will never do that because, let's face it, he's at least a level below Mertecielny and hardly inspires confidence when he does play anyway.

I don't mean we should or will sign someone like Hummels, who is out of our price range and would expect to start every game. But if there aren't any £15-20m options out there that are better than Vermaelen then I'll eat my dog.

[LDG]

Is it really worth £10m to keep Vermaelen for one season? It would only be worth that If keeping him directly results in getting us a trophy, which I doubt considering his performances over the last two seasons. I'd personally rather let him go now and use the money to invest in a better CB.

It's actually a good opportunity to build some depth in our defense. We've got out 4th choice sorted out in Chambers, but we need a reliable, experienced player that can genuinely push Mertecienly for a place in the side, and possibly even keep him out of the side. Vermaelen will never do that because, let's face it, he's at least a level below Mertecielny and hardly inspires confidence when he does play anyway.

I don't mean we should or will sign someone like Hummels, who is out of our price range and would expect to start every game. But if there aren't any £15-20m options out there that are better than Vermaelen then I'll eat my dog.

Harsh on your missus.

Ahem.


I agree though.

[Penguin]

[fakeyank]

Harsh on your missus.

Ahem.


I agree though.

[Power n Glory]

Is it really worth £10m to keep Vermaelen for one season? It would only be worth that If keeping him directly results in getting us a trophy, which I doubt considering his performances over the last two seasons. I'd personally rather let him go now and use the money to invest in a better CB.

It's actually a good opportunity to build some depth in our defense. We've got out 4th choice sorted out in Chambers, but we need a reliable, experienced player that can genuinely push Mertecienly for a place in the side, and possibly even keep him out of the side. Vermaelen will never do that because, let's face it, he's at least a level below Mertecielny and hardly inspires confidence when he does play anyway.

I don't mean we should or will sign someone like Hummels, who is out of our price range and would expect to start every game. But if there aren't any £15-20m options out there that are better than Vermaelen then I'll eat my dog.

There should be but I’m not sure if we’ll sign a good one. If we’re looking at someone with Prem experience then I’m all for it but if we’re looking at players from overseas, then that’s an issue for me. We don’t have the best of track records when it comes to signing CB’s.

[Syn]

Just watched the Wenger press conference from today. Don't think we'll sell him to Man Utd, or at least we'd need some serious money. In which case you've got to question why they don't pay £10m more and land Hummels. The rumour of the £10m Barcelona offer seems to be where we're trying to push him.

The right move for him is undoubtedly Man Utd. He'd be their best CB, and if Van Gaal goes with 3 at the back, he might be allowed some freedom to push forward. At Barcelona, he can't guarantee he'd start but even if he did, they'd go with somebody new next season or so. You never get stability there, but at Man Utd if he finds the form he had before the long injury, he can be a key player for years.

[GP]

He's still only 28. He's still a really good player. If he can stay injury free someone's getting a bargain.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He isn't an option as far as I am concerned, on the recent rare occasions he has come on, the mistakes in his game come with him. Can we really say he is a reliable third option?

I very much doubt he would start for Barcelona too but there is a certain ego attached with players when it comes to signing for a new team, I'd guess he'd be thinking he'll be given a fair chance to start, even if it doesn't actually turn out to be the case.

Plus at some point we will have to sell players, as much fun as it has been seeing us buy four players very early on, we're no different to any other club - we can't keep buying without somebody going. I think based on the limited contribution Vermaelen has given and when he has of what quality it has been, I think he should go.

I think P n G has already alluded to it but the premise is simple. If it benefits us in footballing terms to sell him, then by all means sell him and replace with somebody of equal standing or better. If that is not in our thinking or it is not feasible or realistic to do that at this stage then we are simply needlessly weakening the squad when we already have other positions to fill.

Unless we are happy to finish 4th and aren't really intending on challenging for the league or CL.