Arsène Wenger is set to turn his attention to signing two new defenders, as rumours gather pace of the impending departures of captain Thomas Vermaelen and right-back Carl Jenkinson.

BBC’s David Ornstein has confirmed rumours from previous weeks that Arsenal’s defensive transfers will depend on who exits the club.

Captain Not So Fantastic

Vermaelen has found his opportunities limited in the first team, following a run of bad form in recent seasons, as well as the impressive development of the Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny partnership.

This has alerted the hierarchy at Manchester United, who are in need of a complete transformation of their defensive line, after the departures of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and potentially Patrice Evra.

The Daily Star report that the player would be available at a low budget price of £10 million and Louis Van Gaal is set to open negotiations to land his man this summer.

Arsène Wenger almost sealed the Belgian international’s fate, admitting after Arsenal’s first pre-season game of the season that,

"I cannot guarantee he will stay, but should he go I would bring another centre-back in for sure.”

Right Back Where We Started

Despite the arrival of right-back Mathieu Debuchy this summer, it is thought that Wenger is pursuing the option of signing another fullback, after Jenkinson has become increasingly impatient of his lack of chances at Arsenal in previous years.

The Daily Mail reveal that West Ham United are interested in signing Jenkinson, but would be wiling to negotiate a season long loan which would benefit both parties.

They add that Swansea City believe that they can sign the Harlow born defender on the cheap this summer, as the 22-year old feels he needs regular first team football to be considered for England national duty.

It is thought that a deal for Spanish and Atletico Madrid fullback Javier Manquillo is close to completion, a transfer that The Metro claim is a season-long loan with the option to buy next summer.

Fall From Grace

Carl Jenkinson has slowly improved, but it is clear he is not in Arsène Wenger’s immediate plans for the future of Arsenal Football Club. Therefore, his departure would not come as a big shock to supporters.

However, Thomas Vermaelen’s fall from grace is still a surprise, as a team was once built around his solid foundation.

Many people still believe that he could be moulded into a defensive midfielder, but it looks as though the manager will look to buy one directly, instead of putting more work into the 28-year-old.

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