Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen admits he misses former teammate Thomas Vermaelen.

Dutch sources say Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to pair Vermaelen with the Ajax defender.

Vertonghen said: “I read in the newspaper that they’re following me, but Ajax will not sell me, so I’ll stay another year.

“I lost a friend when he went to Arsenal, but it was good for his career. We are very close and sometimes I call him several times a week.”