Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Mertesacker drops hint he could leave in January

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker admits he could listen to transfer offers in January and has news on his injury progress.

Mertesacker’s contract is up at the end of the season and, with new signing Shkodran Mustafi likely to be a long-term replacement for his fellow German, Mertesacker may have to consider his options in January.

The 32-year-old, who has made 208 appearances for Arsenal since his move from Werder Bremen in 2011, was handed the Gunners captaincy in the summer by Arsene Wenger and it’s his manager’s faith that could give him hope of a new deal.

However, the towering centre-back picked up an injury in pre-season against Lens and hasn’t made an appearance yet this campaign.

“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,” Mertesacker told Kicker.

“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 post Mertesacker drops hint he could leave in January appeared first on Football365.



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