There's still no reason why negotiation between and fees being agreed by clubs can't happen, with agreements reached in principle with the formalities to happen after the World Cup. Chelsea and Liverpool don't seem to have had much trouble signing players who are in Brazil. Didn't we sign Rosicky during or very close to the start of the 2006 World Cup? I remember watching him score those stunning goals against USA after he had signed and getting excited about him. And pretty sure Nasri was signed during Euro 2008 wasn't he?
As for Vermaelen I'm loathed to sell our captain to United again although I guess a cash plus Smalling deal isn't so bad. If it's just selling him for a few million then I don't see the point, may aswell keep him for the last year of his contract. Too much hassle to replace otherwise. We already need as a priority a starting right back, a striker, a CM and a goalkeeper, possibly a winger too depending on Walcott and Ox. Add in a CB too and it's just too much for one window, there's no way it will all get done. Look at how long it took to make 2 signings last year, and even then one of them was free and had been training at the club for a while.
Can see us spending too much time messing about trying to sign a bargain bin 2nd choice keeper and 3rd choice CB and missing out on what we actually need for the first XI.