LONDON, August 8- Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is close to a 15 million-pound move to Barcelona, according to Press Association Sport.
The Belgium defender could complete a move to the Camp Nou over the weekend.
On Thursday, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said the club’s preference was to sell the defender abroad, rather than to a domestic rival, with Manchester United also interested.
Club captain Vermaelen, who joined from Ajax in 2009, made 21 appearances for the Gunners last season.
Niggling injuries and the form of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker limited his impact.
However, despite being an unused substitute at Wembley, he did lift the FA Cup in May as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought.
The 28-year-old has made 150 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 goals for the Gunners.
United are reported to still be interested, although a swap deal would not interest them, with rumours Arsenal enquired about defender Chris Smalling and striker Javier Hernandez.
Now it seems the Camp Nou, and not Old Trafford, is Vermaelen’s likely destination.
-By ESPN FC
