Napoli Boss Rafa Benitez’s has shown interested in signing Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen.
Vermaelen spent the end of last season on the bench for the Gunners and is currently out with a back injury. Benitez is on the lookout for a left-footed defender with international experience and, after negotiations for Cagliari’s David Astori stalled, Vermaelen would certainly fit the bill. If unsuccessful, Mamadou Sahko is their third preference.
Vermaelen joined Arsenal from Ajax for an initial fee of €10 million (rising to €12 million) on 19 June 2009, signing a four-year contract. After Kolo Touré surrendered the number 5 jersey to him upon joining Manchester City, Vermaelen,
with William Gallas, formed Arsenal's central defence pairing. Vermaelen made his Premier League debut on 15 August 2009 in a 1–6 away win against Everton, and scored in the 37th minute. He became the 84th Arsenal player to score in their debut. He then scored a brace against Wigan Athletic in a 4–0 victory.
However, Arsenal are understaffed at the back and have frequently said that none of their major players would be leaving in the summer, to lose one of their three recognized centre backs would be a rash move and it seems likely the move will not occur.
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