United To Return for Vermaelen?

One Arsenal transfer saga set to be renewed involves central defender Thomas Vermaelen.

The Belgium international was linked during the World Cup with a move to Manchester United and while the trail appears to have gone quiet there are reports that United could be in with a £10million bid.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was asked following Saturday’s 2-0 friendly victory over Borehamwood whether he thought Vermaelen would be staying at the Emirates.

“I cannot guarantee he will stay, but should he go I would bring in another centre back,” replied the Frenchman.

United are in the market for at least one centre-back this summer after the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. They are also being linked with Feyenoord’s Stefan de Vrij, a player Arsenal were watching earlier this year.

Milner In Arsenal Transfer Link

Arsenal are being linked with interest in Manchester City midfielder James Milner. The 28-year-old wants assurances over his future at the Etihad Stadium as he wants more first-team game time.

Milner played in 31 of City’s 38 Premier League games last season – the most matchday appearances since he joined the club early in the 2010-11 season. But 19 of those appearances came off the subs’ bench and in terms of minutes on the pitch it was Milner’s worst campaign since joining City.

Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in Milner, along with six other Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa.

Milner isn’t necessarily looking to quit City. But he does want assurances over playing time. Whether he gets any such assurances is another matter.

Wages Key To Remy Deal

The news of an Arsenal transfer bid for Loic Remy appears to be that he is slipping away from the Gunners.

Reports on Saturday claim that Liverpool have had an £8.5million bid accepted by QPR. However, that’s the value of Remy’s release fee and Arsenal are also willing to pay that amount.

The problem lies with the player’s wage demands. Neither club are prepared to meet Remy’s £80,000-a-week salary expectations.

Liverpool appear to be in pole position, but Arsenal cannot be ruled out. Should the Gunners ended their pursuit of Sami Khedira it could leave them with a few more pennies to play with on wages. Otherwise they will scrap it out with Liverpool to see who will pay the most.