Thomas Vermaelen to replace Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United?

Manchester United manager David Moyes has reportedly identified out-of-favour Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen as the man to replace Nemanja Vidic.

After eight years at the club, Vidic will leave Old Trafford for Inter Milan when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Moyes is expected to be very active in the transfer market in the summer and at least one centre-back is on his wishlist to boost a squad that could lose long-serving partnership Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

According to The, United will offer former Gunners skipper Vermaelen the chance to be a first-team regular again, but Arsenal will demand a £12m fee from their rivals for the Belgian international.

Vermaelen, 28, has only made three Premier League starts this season, with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger preferring to pair Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the centre of his defence.