Transfer News: Barcelona agree £15m fee to sign Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal

Sky sources understand Barcelona have agreed a £15m fee with Arsenal for defender Thomas Vermaelen.

The deal is subject to the defender passing a medical and agreeing to the move to the Nou Camp.

Manchester United ended their interest in Vermaelen earlier on Friday after refusing to consider Arsenal’s request for a swap deal, with the Gunners reluctant to sell directly to United.

Vermaelen has been at Arsenal since 2009 and will vacate his role as official club captain should the move go through.

Last season Vermaelen failed to hold down a regular first-team spot at the Emirates as manager Arsene Wenger preferred to partner Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at the heart of his defence.