Thomas Vermaelen has informed Arsene Wenger of his desire to leave Arsenal this summer, according to a report in Belgian publication La Dernière Heure.

Claiming to have spoken to the Belgian international’s representatives, Sports Entertainment Group, the newspaper says that Manchester United made a tentative approach for the centre-back in January but that the player’s current injury problems and a lack of cover at the Emirates scuppered any possibility of a move.

As has been well-documented Vermaelen has cut a frustrated figure this season spending most of the last twelve months on the bench as back up to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

The 28-year-old has previously been linked to Napoli and Zenit St Petersburg and will likely have a number of suitors come the summer especially if he gets minutes in the World Cup.

Given Bacary Sagna, Wenger’s de facto fourth choice centre-back, is stalling on a new deal it looks as though defensive reinforcements will be top of the list this summer for the Gunners.