Barcelona clear favourites to sign Man Utd target

Barcelona are reckoned to be the front-runners to land the signature of Manchester United target and Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen this summer, according to The Mirror.

The Belgian international has been linked with a summer switch away from the Emirates in recent weeks, with United being the likely destination. However, the Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been reluctant to allow the sale of the club-captain to one of their Premier League rivals.

The Mirror claims that the Catalan giants have stolen a march on the Red Devils, and will seal a deal for the talented centre-back, who is considered as an ideal candidate to lead their defence in the upcoming season.