Fabregas has long been linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.
“He is our skipper so he is the leader on the pitch,” Vermaelen told Sky Sports News.
“Last year he was very good, he scored a lot goals, he was really important for us so I hope he will stay this year.
“It is difficult for me to have an opinion [on the speculation] about that.
“I just read things about that in the papers and we don’t know what is really going on.
“I am confident he will stay and I hope he will stay.”
