Thomas Vermaelen latest: Manchester United target 'could be swapped' for Tom Cleverley

Arsene Wenger could look for a part-exchange, according to reports

Tom Cleverley could be part of a swap deal with Thomas Vermaelen, according to reports (Getty Images)

Tom Cleverley could move to Arsenal as part of a deal that takes club captain Thomas Vermaelen to Manchester United.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a keen admirer of the 24-year-old English midfielder and has been keeping tabs on him.

With new United manager Louis van Gaal keen to bring Vermaelen with him to Old Trafford, Cleverley could be used as make-weight in any potential deal, according to the Daily Mirror.

Vermaelen, 28, has found himself out of favour under Wenger, with the Gunners boss seeing the pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as his first choice.

Yesterday it was reported that Vermaelen had 'verbally agreed' a deal to move to Old Trafford.

Vermaelen is the club captain but knowing he has just a year left on his current contract Wenger may be willing to cash in now, rather than risk letting him go for nothing next summer.

Vermaelen has verbally agreed a move to United, according to reports (Getty Images)

It is thought the centre back could fetch up to £10m, who shares an agent with United star Robin van Persie.

Van Gaal is desperate for defensive reinforcements after the exits of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

The Belgian, who is likely to play against Algeria later today, earns £70,000-per-week at Arsenal but United could be willing to increase his wages to £100,000-per-week.