Barcelona make offer for Arsenal star

Barcelona have reportedly made a formal offer for Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen, according to a report.

The Belgian international has been linked with a summer exit from the Emirates, following his lack of first-team opportunities at the club last season, with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny occupying the central defensive role.

League rivals Manchester United have shown interest in the out-of-favour defender, but it is believed that the Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants to ship off the club-captain to a foreign club.

According to Sky Sports, the Catalan giants have made an official bid of £10m for his services, and a deal could well be wrapped up this weekend.