Mertesacker linked with Bundesliga return

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is being heavily linked with a return to German Bundesliga, according to Bild.

The 32-year-old is nearing the end of his contract at the Emirates and it remains to be seen whether he will be offered a new deal.

And with the centre-back set to miss the first part of the season through injury, his long-term future at Arsenal is clearly in doubt.

The good news is that Mertesacker has a long list of suitors in Bundesliga, namely his former clubs Hannover and Werder Bremen.

Both clubs recently expressed their interest in the former Germany international, but it remains to be seen whether they can lure the defender back to HDI Arena or Weserstadion.

Bild claims that Mertesacker hopes to extend his stay at the Emirates, but in case he is not offered a new deal by the club, the Bundesliga return will become a realistic possibility.