Having seen his side concede goals at alarming rate Arsene Wenger has decided to re-affirm his interest in Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen by making an offer in the region of £10m the long term Gunners target. As was the cash offer the Arsenal boss will offer Frank De Boer his choice of a number of squad players he is willing to use as a makeweight in order to land the 24 year old Belgian international.
Among those thought to be available for such a swap deal include striker Marouane Chamakh and centre back Sebastien Squillaci, both of whom have struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.
Arsenal have conceded 21 goals in 10 Premier League matches leaving Wenger to worry about his sides ability to clinch a crucial top four finish. German international Per Mertesacker was brought in to beef up defensive options but continuing injury concerns over Thomas Vermaelen has still left the North London club looking very weak at the back.
Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have both struggled to put a run of form together when called upon which has led to Arsene Wenger wanting to bring in another option at the back.
Vertonghen was handed the Ajax captaincy over the summer when Maarten Stekelenburg left for Roma, it was thought that was as much a decision to appease the consistent defender as much as it was about finding an able replacement to the Dutch international keeper.
Wenger will hope to tempt the Ajax man to leave the club he has represented since the age of 16 and even though Vertonghen will be cup tied with regards to Champions League football the urgency to secure at the very least a top four spot will lead to the Arsenal manager making a significant offer for the defender in January.
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