Jan Vertonghen 'set for Arsenal reunion with Thomas Vermaelen'

Arsene Wenger is hoping to tie up a summer transfer move for Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen, as Arsenal hope to reunite him with former team-mate Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of the Gunners' defence

Vermaelen has been a revelation at the back for the north Londoners since his arrival from the Dutch league last summer - with many pundits picking him as the best Premier League signing last year.

And Wenger is hoping to enjoy similar success with the Dutchman's countryman Vertonghen, 22, who could be tempted to swap the Eredivisie for the English top-flight this summer.

The two enjoyed a solid partnership at the Amsterdam Arena before Vermaelen's move and Wenger is preparing to make a big-money move for the 22-year-old as well as highly-rated full-back Gregory van der Wiel.

The Dutch international, who is currently in South Africa at the World Cup with his national side, could be part of a £25million package deal to take both players to the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger is currently weighing up his options to rebuild his back-line with veterans William Gallas, Sol Campbell, and Mikael Silvestre all due to leave on free transfers this summer.

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Arsenal ready to splash 30 million to end silverware drought

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, criticised by fans after his young side failed to win a trophy since 2005, is to splash out £30million on building a squad to end the drought.

Wenger will make the club's biggest impact on the summer transfer market for more than a decade, with Everton defender Phil Jagielka the latest target, along with Chelsea's England midfielder Joe Cole, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny.

Wenger is finally ready to make major signings after almost 10 years of being constrained by the club's move to the Emirates Stadium.

And Everton centre-half Jagielka, controversially left out of Fabio Capello's 30-man preparation squad for the World Cup finals, is the latest player to be targeted by the Frenchman, although Everton manager David Moyes will fight to keep the 27-year-old defender at Goodison Park.

But Arsenal now appear to be confident of adding Cole and Schwarzer to the squad after the World Cup finals, even though negotiations with Cole's representatives have yet to reach a conclusion.

Fulham have rejected an initial inquiry for Schwarzer, but the Australian goalkeeper has only one year left on his contract at Craven Cottage and, at the age of 37, he will want to seize his last chance to play Champions League football.

Arsenal remain in talks for centre-half Koscielny but, with William Gallas out of contract and leaving the club, they are committed to signing another experienced Premier League defender.

Jagielka is their first choice and Wenger has been cleared to spend, with around £30m at his disposal plus any more he receives if Cesc Fabregas leaves for Barcelona.

Arsenal have rarely been major players in the summer transfer market since committing to building the Emirates Stadium 10 years ago, a project completed in 2006 at the cost of £380m.

But the club made £45.5m profit last year, making them one of the few in the Premier League to enjoy a substantial return.

Their financial outlook is much brighter than Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, with more profits expected this year as stadium debts fall.

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Arsenal Hope to Beat Manchester City to £20m Playmaker: Wenger Battles Mancini for Everton Ace Arteta

Manchester City are looking to flex their spending muscles once again by offering £20million for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta.

City’s interest in the 28-year-old former Barcelona trainee is in addition to their hopes of landing Aston Villa’s James Milner.

They will face competition for the Spanish midfielder from Arsenal, who regard him as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, now looking certain to return to the Nou Camp.

Manchester United are also monitoring Arteta, who has developed into one of the Premier League’s hottest properties. (Mail on Sunday)

There is no doubting Mikel Arteta’s class, the Spaniard has spent the last five and half year seasons wowing the Goodison Park support and has been targeted by potential suitors for some time now, could there be any chance either Arsene Wenger or Roberto Mancini could persuade the former Rangers man to leave the Toffees?

The 28 year old amazingly is still without a full Spain cap and may feel his chances of getting a call up would improve if he was playing Champions League football and maybe a move to the Emirates would be tempting. Is Arteta the type of player the Gunners need though? In many ways the abilities and assets the attacking midfielder offers are much the same as Cesc Fabregas, hence many reports suggesting that the north London club could turn to the Everton man if they do indeed lose their skipper to Barcelona.

Manchester City will of course be able to offer obscene amount in wages but perhaps that won’t be enough to convince Arteta to leave, clearly he loves playing for the Toffees and he may feel he could fulfill his ambitions at the Merseyside outfit.

David Moyes will again be hoping not to lose any of his top notch talents this summer and as always the Scot will hope to be given sufficient funds to help the club push onwards towards the top four next term.

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