Vermaelen close to Arsenal switch

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The Belgium international has spoken regularly over the past few weeks of his desire to leave Amsterdam and join the north London side. And while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has yet to comment on the speculation, the player's agent recently suggested a four-year deal has been offered to his client.

Vermaelen told Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen: "On Friday I will fly to London to have my medical. After that I hope to put pen to paper. Boy I feel so proud, Arsenal is a fantastic club and one that, as a child, I enjoyed watching play."

He added: "Arsene Wenger stands for nice, attacking football and dares to work with young talents. That appeals to me enormously.

"Not that that tipped the scales though. When a club like Arsenal stands at your door, then you just go.

"When I get to the Emirates Stadium on Friday I will be hugely impressed.

"A lot will change in my life. Next season I will come up against the best strikers in the world. I am not scared by that, I will give all my body can give.

"This is one of the most beautiful days of my life."

Vermaelen joined Ajax in 2004 and has made over 100 appearances for the club.