Arsenal Transfer News: Per Mertesacker Backed for Bremen Move, Latest Rumours

Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker has been backed for a return to former club Werder Bremen by the Bundesliga side's captain, Clemens Fritz. 

The former Germany international, 32, is in the last few months of his contract with the Gunners, and Fritz said "it would be a good thing for the club" if Mertesacker returned when his deal runs out in the summer, per Bild (via ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld). 

Mertesacker joined Arsenal from Bremen in 2011 and has gone on to be named club captain at the Emirates Stadium, but he now faces competition from Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista, Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi for a starting spot.

Mertesacker has yet to make an appearance for Arsenal in 2016-17 after picking up a knee injury in pre-season.

The Gunners have not seemed to miss him much, though, following the addition of Mustafi late in the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old German has already put in some excellent performances, per WhoScored.com (via Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe):

Per German magazine Kicker (via Uersfeld), Mertesacker recently hinted that he would be open to a return to Germany should he not be offered a new contract at Arsenal.

"I ask myself what would make sense if things were to end at Arsenal," the 6'6" defender said. "Where can I be of any help? What do I want? Could I maybe return to Germany?"

Bremen are also reportedly not the only Bundesliga club interested in the veteran centre-back, with Wolfsburg keen as well as another of his former sides, second-tier Hannover, per Uersfeld.

Realistically, it would be no surprise if the Gunners were to release Mertesacker in the summer. He is some way past his best and, following summer additions, is now arguably Arsenal's fourth-choice centre-back at best.

Per The Independent's Jack Austin, he was named club captain in the summer more by default than for any true leadership qualities:

Mertesacker's days in the Premier League seem numbered, and a return to Germany would likely be a decent outcome for all involved.

Via Uersfeld, Bild reported that Bremen would offer Mertesacker a managerial-training programme were they to re-sign him, an indication that he is very much in the latter stages of his career.

With such an opportunity unlikely to be put on the table by Arsenal, a return to his former club looks increasingly inevitable.