Vermaelen has found himself unable to displace either Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny from the Gunners’ starting XI, and has only made 11 appearances in all competitions this season.
This has led to speculation the Belgian could be making a move away from the Emirates, but Allardyce is convinced Arsenal have no intention of selling.
‘I think under the circumstances at Arsenal, in the position that they’re in, in the Champions League and cup matches, they’ve had to use him as soon as any of the two defenders have been injured,’ he said.
‘So I don’t think there’s any chance we’ll get somebody of his quality. It would be nice if I we could.
‘I’ve had targets and I haven’t got one yet apart from Roger Johnson, so I’ll keep going and hope we get some.’
Written by Steve Milne