Arsenal Transfer News: Per Mertesacker Talks, Latest on Corentin Tolisso Rumours

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has revealed he will start thinking about a move away from the club in January, while Lyon starlet Corentin Tolisso has opened the door to a Premier League transfer, listing the Gunners as one of his dream clubs.

The international break is traditionally a time where players love to voice their opinions to the media in their homeland, and things don't appear to be any different this time around.

Speaking to Kicker (h/t Metro's Tom Olver), Mertesacker weighed in on his situation in north London and his plans for the future:

"

I know that I need to allow myself time. The more time I allow my knee, the longer I’ll be able to play football.

I can increase the workload already and I am no longer in pain.

I believe that I can reach a level again on which I am important for the team. I have the feeling that this is not the end.

I look at the perspectives for me and my family, and I think that I’ll intensify those thoughts from January on.

That’s also the time when you can listen to other things [offers] when your contract is expiring.

"

The German suffered an injury in July and has yet to feature for the club in the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. In his absence, summer arrival and compatriot Shkodran Mustafi has thrived, and there's a good chance he'll keep his spot in the starting XI alongside Laurent Koscielny.

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Mertesacker has been a constant for the Gunners for years, but the 32-year-old has clear limitations that have cost the team in the past. His lack of pace in particular has been a source for frustration for fans and has led to too many easy goals at times.

Mustafi doesn't have those same limitations, and even sceptics such as television personality and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan have been impressed with the former Valencia man:

On top of that, the Gunners have made a good start to the season―after seven matches, they sit in third place, just two points behind leaders Manchester City. As of right now, manager Arsene Wenger seems unlikely to tinker with his team, even if that means Mertesacker has to settle for a spot on the bench.

That doesn't mean the veteran's days with the Gunners are numbered. He remains a valuable asset as both a depth option and an experienced voice in the dressing room.

Mertesacker is still popular among the fans, not least for his great sense of humour. This video in which he commentates on a match is already a classic:

Much will depend on Mertesacker and his desire to play regular minutes. With young talents Rob Holding and Calum Chambers waiting in the wings, his playing time may take a sharp hit, which could push him out of the exit door at some point in the near future.

Meanwhile, French starlet Tolisso isn't making a secret of his desire to leave Lyon for a bigger club, telling France Football (h/t the London Evening Standard's Sam Long) he dreams of the Premier League and sides like Real Madrid and Barcelona:

"

Many clubs make me dream like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and England with teams like Arsenal.

I love the Premier League and I think I have the profile.

This is the championship that also offers more competition, which is the most open, the most contested and most spectacular.

"

The 22-year-old made his Lyon debut in 2013 and has been one of the team's top young stars ever since, playing alongside the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir. He gets most of his minutes in central midfield but has also featured as a right-back on plenty of occasions.

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Tolisso is a fantastic prospect on the verge of becoming a regular for the French national team, and he's expected to make the move to a top club and announce himself as a budding star in the near future.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Lyon are notoriously difficult to negotiate with, however, meaning Colisso won't come cheap. And with Granit Xhaka joining Arsenal during the summer, the Gunners are unlikely to spend a lot of money on a position they have only just addressed.