- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 June 2009 10.56 BST
Thomas Vermaelen says he is on his way to Arsenal. Photograph: Adam Davy/Empics Sport
The Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen has claimed that he will undergo a medical at Arsenal tomorrow.
The Belgium international has spoken regularly over the past few weeks of his desire to leave Amsterdam and join the north London side. Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, has yet to comment on the speculation but the player's agent recently suggested a four-year deal has been offered to his client.
Vermaelen told the Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen: "On Friday I will fly to London to have my medical. After that I hope to put pen to paper. Boy, I feel so proud, Arsenal is a fantastic club and one that, as a child, I enjoyed watching play.
"Arsène Wenger stands for nice, attacking football and dares to work with young talents. That appeals to me enormously. Not that that tipped the scales, though. When a club like Arsenal stands at your door, then you just go.
"When I get to the Emirates Stadium on Friday I will be hugely impressed. A lot will change in my life. Next season I will come up against the best strikers in the world. I am not scared by that, I will give all my body can give.
"This is one of the most beautiful days of my life."
Vermaelen joined Ajax in 2004 and has made more than 100 appearances for the Dutch club.
