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Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen 'is set for Arsenal'
8 Jun 2009Ajax centre-back Thomas Vermaelen claims he is on the verge of a £10million move to Arsenal.
The Gunners are reported to have agreed a fee for the 23-year-old Belgium international, who can also play at left-back.
Vermaelen said: "Moving to Arsenal is the right path for me. It is a great sporting challenge and I'll also be financially better off. I think everything will be okay. There will be more talks in the coming days."
The Ajax captain is 5ft 11ins and former Gunners skipper Tony Adams fears Vermaelen could struggle in England.
"I think Thomas is very good but I don't think he's ready," said the former England centre-back. "I don't think the punters at Arsenal would like another small one."
Reader views (3)
Arsenal need an older, more mature, more experienced defender to guide the brilliantly skilled youngsters.
- Ronold, London, 09/06/2009 15:24
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This sounds intriguing as Clichy was somewhat mysteriously out for the last few games & is being strongly linked with clubs abroad & Gibbs, although an excellent prospect is not a natural left-back & looks fas more comfortable in midfield. Hence maybe Vermaelen is being bought as a left-back. Although Tony Adams, a failure as a manager, usually makes absurd comments, I tend to agree that it makes no sense to buy a centre back who is smaller than any of the others at the club, who are already struggling in the air.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 09/06/2009 08:27
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Tony Admas is loosing it and trying too hard to be somebody! You can not tell me you become the captain of Ajax and your national team if you are a bad player! 5ft11 is a good hieght and especially if you have a leap! Micha is 5ft11, Puyol is 5ft10 and Cannavaro is 5ft9 and they all seem to be great defedners??? I am looking forward to seeing this guy in an Arsenal shirt for the ew season!
- Newmy, Ipswich, 08/06/2009 17:05
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