Arsenal face fight to keep Vermaelen as Barcelona step up bid for defender

New Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova has given his backing to pursuing a move for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Pep Guardiola’s replacement wants sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to step up attempts to sign a central defender after missing out on top target Thiago Silva, who has signed a new deal at AC Milan.

Catalan newspaper Sport says Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez is the first alternative.
But, with both Manchester clubs and Arsenal also admiring the 23-year-old, his club are resisting offers below his £32million release clause.

The two alternatives are reported to be Arsenal’s versatile 26-year-old Vermaelen and Bayern Munich’s Holger Badstuber.

The club have also previously closely monitored Chelsea’s David Luiz.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate