Thomas Vermaelen Arsenal
Vermaelen has reportedly been offered a £100,000-a-week salary by Manchester UnitedReuters

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has reportedly agreed a deal in principle to join Manchester United this summer.

Although the Gunners have not accepted a bid or even decided on a transfer fee yet, the Belgian defender is reportedly keen to join the Red Devils, according to the Telegraph.

The 28-year-old, who only has a year remaining on his current contract with Arsenal, has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates, with manager Arsene Wenger favouring the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the heart of his defence.

And Vermaelen, who arrived at Arsenal for €10 million (rising to €12 million based on performances) in 2009, seems adamant that he can revive his career, by making a move to Old Trafford this summer.

Although United, who endured a disappointing season under former boss David Moyes, will not be able to provide Champions League football to Vermaelen (having finished seventh in the Premier League), they are reportedly offering him regular first team football.

Also the Belgian, who currently earns £70,000-per-week at the Emirates, has been promised a £30,000 hike, meaning he will see his wages rising to £100,000-a-week.

Arsenal will probably prefer to sell Vermaelen and make some money this summer, rather than see him leave on a free transfer in the next. However, the Gunners will probably not get more than £10million for the defender under the circumstances.

It is believed that Vermaelen, who is currently busy preparing for Belgium's opening World Cup fixture against Algeria, also wants his future sorted out before the end of the competition. The former Ajax star, who has the same agent as Robin van Persie, is reportedly keen to join his former teammate at United.

The Gunners, who have already lost right-back Bacary Sagna to Premier League champions Manchester City on a free transfer last week, are reportedly lining up a number of defensive targets including Steven Caulker and Virgil van Dijk to replace their departing players.