Manchester United is confident of landing Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen, after increasing their offer for the Belgian defender to £10 million, according to the Daily Star.
United's £6 million offer was earlier rejected by the Gunners but the Red Devils are confident of snapping up the Arsenal man this time. Vermaelen is expected the fill the void left by the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
The Belgian is expected to play a key role in Louis van Gaal's attempts to put United back on top of the Premier League. The former Ajax player can also provide cover to newly signed left-back Luke Shaw as Patrice Evra is on the brink of signing for Juventus.
Vermaelen had established himself as one of the notable defenders in the league after his move to the Emirates. But with just one year left in his contract, Arsene Wenger is likely to let Vermaelen leave for a reasonable fee.
The Belgium international had earlier hinted that he could leave Arsenal, after making only seven Premier League starts last season.
"I really do not know where I will play, Arsenal or elsewhere next season," Vermaelen told the Evening Standard. "All my attention went to the World Cup. I will see when I talk with Arsenal."
After Arsenal's 2-0 win over Boreham Wood in a pre-season friendly, Wenger had hinted that he is not sure whether Vermaelen will stay with the team in the forthcoming season.
"I cannot guarantee he will stay, but should he go I would bring another centre-back in for sure," Wenger told Arsenal website.
Van Gaal is understood to be looking to sign two centre-backs before the start of the season and Stefan De Vrij of Feyenoord's is also on the Dutchman's radar.
Meanwhile, the former Bayern Munich's boss has flown to the United States for pre-season tour with the United squad, where the Red Devils will play against the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy and AS Roma.
Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and David de Gea will take part in the pre-season matches, along with newly signed Shaw and Ander Herrera. Javier Hernandez, Robin van Persie, Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini are on holiday, while Michael Carrick is recovering from an ankle surgery.
