Manchester United has had a bid to buy Arsenal and Belgium international defender Thomas Vermaelen rejected.

According to reports, the Old Trafford giants have tabled a bid of around £ 6 million for the 28 year old Belgian international, who is currently in Brazil with the national team for the World Cup, but according to reports, the Gunners are looking for almost double of what Manchester United have offered for the player.

Vermaelen, who has one year left on his current contract with the club, has reportedly told his close friends that he wants to make the switch to the fallen Premier League giants but Wenger doesn’t want to allow his skipper to leave for such a minimal fee.

Reports suggest the club wants at least £ 12 million for the player so that they can immediately reinvest the money in strengthening the squad ahead of the new season. But Manchester United are not willing to go any higher up for the 28 year old defender, who has a history of injury problems and could look elsewhere as they seek a replacement for the departed duo of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

Arsenal had also reportedly asked for a straight swap which would have seen England international Chris Smalling, a boyhood Gunners fan make the switch to the Emirates Stadium but incoming United boss is not ready to lose the talented defender at any cost, and not least to a Premier League rival.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could finally land Swansea City defender Ashley Williams after the Swans skipper turned down the offer of a new contract at the Welsh club, leaving the door open for a move to one of the top clubs in the Premier League with several suitors already registering their interest in the 29 year old defender who has been a revelation for the Swans.