Arsenal are looking extremely desperate to keep star strikers Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie, who both have only one year left on his contract. However, it looks like the Englishman and the Dutchman will not be the only ones to depart Arsenal this season.
It has been rumoured that Barcelona are increasingly confident that they can secure the services of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen before the close of the summer transfer window. New Barcelona manager Tito Villanova has identified Thomas Vermaelen as the perfect replacement for Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol, who is coming to the end of his career.
The 34-year-old may have been inspirational for Barcelona last four seasons helping them win 14 trophies along the way, but he has been extremely injury prone in the last couple of months. He even missed the Euro 2012 as a result of long-term injury, which is likely to keep him out of the pre-season training. Barcelona reckon that they will not be able to get the best out of Carlos Puyol for more than a year. As a result, they have already lined up a replacement for the Barcelona captain in the form of Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian defender has grown into one of the best defenders in England since arriving at Arsenal a few seasons ago.
The 23 year old Belgian, though, is thought to be extremely dissatisfied with the way Arsenal have been competing for major trophies. It has been seven seasons since Arsenal last lifted the major trophy. It has been the major reason for stars like Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leaving the club last season, while it could be one of the major reasons this time around as well. Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are expected to be the star names to depart the club this season.
