Ajax's Thomas Vermaelen has claimed that he will undergo a medical with Premier League giants Arsenal on Friday.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Gunners for some time and it is thought that he could finally complete the switch over the weekend.

The Godenzonen are expected to receive a fee in the region of €12.8 million (£11m) for the versatile defender, who can operate as a left-back or in a central position. A four-year contract is said to be on the table.

"The signature is not there yet, but everything is in order," Vermaelen told Gazet van Antwerpen.

"On Friday I will fly to London to undergo a medical. Then I hope to sign."

The 21-time capped Belgium international also revealed how it will be like a dream come true to sign for the north London outfit and be able to test himself on a weekly basis in England's top flight.

"I feel so proud. Arsenal are a fantastic club and as a child I watched them play," Vermaelen remarked.

"On Friday, if I go to Emirates Stadium I will be seriously impressed.

"This will be a big change in my life, next year I will suddenly be facing the best strikers in the world.

"This does not scare me, I will give everything my body has. This is one of the best days of my life."

The 22-year-old Newcastle United defender Sebastian Bassong has admitted to the French press that he is in talks to leave the crisis-torn Magpies.

"I have started to negotiate with two English clubs," Bassong told Aujourd'hui Sport.

Bassong, Newcastle's player of the 2008-09 season, cost the Magpies just £500,000 from Metz last year. Newcastle will be looking for an eight-figure fee from the clubs chasing him, although the small size of their squad could tempt them into a cash-plus-player deal.

Arsenal are reported to be at the front of the queue for Bassong, although Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Sunderland are all interested in the Clairefontaine graduate.

After being relegated from the Premier League last year, Newcastle are sure to embark on a fire-sale of their most notable players. While Bassong is not on big wages, he will command a larger transfer fee than many of his team-mates.

Should Arsenal move for Bassong in addition to Thomas Vermaelen, it would probably mark the end of the road for Kolo Toure, who has been heavily linked with a transfer to Manchester City in recent weeks

Hapoel Tel-Aviv's Vincent Enyeama has revealed that he would be interested in moving to the Premier League during the close-season.

It is claimed that the likes of Arsenal, Hull City and Wigan Athletic have been casting an eye over the highly-rated 5ft 11in goalkeeper.

Apparently, the 26-year-old Nigeria international, who has won 43 caps for the Super Eagles, would command a fee of approximately €2 million (£1.7m).

It is unknown whether the Red Demons are willing to cash-in on Enyeama, but it seems that he is hopeful of completing the switch from Israel to England.

"I am calm. There are contacts in the Premier League. I am interested in playing there next season but nothing is done yet," Enyeama told Sky Sports.

"I want to prove I am the best in the world, so I need to face world class strikers week-in, week-out."