Getting cosy with the Barca boys? Arsenal ace Vermaelen pictured with Puyol in Ibiza



It's a picture Arsenal fans would rather not see: their inspirational centre-back Thomas Vermaelen enjoying a night out with Barcelona defender Carles Puyol at a restaurant in Ibiza.



The Catalan giants are considering a bid for Vermaelen after hitting a brick wall in attempts to sign Thiago Silva from AC Milan.



Nou Camp boss Tito Vilanova made Silva his top central defensive target but the Catalans set aside less than £30million for the deal - while sources in Italy claim Milan have already turned down a £32.5m bid from Paris Saint-Germain.



Fancy seeing you here! Vermaelen and Puyol pose for a snap in Ibiza

Belgium international Vermaelen, 26, fits the bill because of his ability to also play at left back and in midfield, but Arsenal are likely to resist any approach.



But Gunners fans will not be reassured to see Vermaelen and Puyol together with talismanic captain Robin van Persie's future still up in the air.



Arsenal remain determined to get their skipper to sign a three-year deal worth £130,000 a week with a £5m loyalty bonus.



Van Persie's representatives have held two rounds of talks with Arsenal, when the 28-year-old said he was not ready to sign new terms.



Who's next? Captain Van Persie's future remains unclear





