Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen ready for crunch talks with Arsene Wenger

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is reportedly planning to hold crunch talks with manager Arsene Wenger to establish whether he has a future at the club.

The Belgian's game-time could be limited next season, with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny Wenger's preferred centre-backs, and Manchester United are said to be keeping tabs on him.

The 28-year-old remained behind to work on his base fitness while his teammates embarked on a trip to Austria this week, but with Wenger and the rest of the squad now having returned to London, Vermaelen is eyeing showdown talks, according to the Daily Mail.

Vermaelen, who joined the Gunners from Ajax in 2009, has also been linked with Barcelona.