Agent: 'Thomas Vermaelen has asked Arsene Wenger for transfer'

The agent of Thomas Vermaelen has claimed that his client has asked Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to allow him to leave the club in the summer.

Vermaelen has slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium due to the successful partnership formed by fellow defenders Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Despite recently insisting that the Belgian has not been contacted by Napoli, agent Alex Kroes revealed that the 28-year-old is keen on a move away from the Gunners.

"Thomas has told Wenger that he wants to leave Arsenal this summer," Kroes told Le10 Sport.

Vermaelen joined Arsenal from Ajax in 2009.