Big move
August 30, 2011
Arsenal and Werder Bremen have reached an agreement that will see German international defender Per Mertesacker move to the English Premiership, Werder Sporting Director Klaus Allofs confirmed Tuesday evening.
"Everything is clear between us and Arsenal," said Allofs.
Mertesacker, who is under contract with Bremen until the end of the season, will move to the London Premier League club before Wednesday's transfer deadline - pending a successful medical and agreeable contract terms.
Arsenal are thought to have offered a deal worth 10 million pounds (11.3 million euros) for the central defender.
Skipping training
The 26-year-old was allowed to leave Germany's squad in Dusseldorf to negotiate the move.
German national coach Joachim Löw said Mertesacker told him on Monday evening he had "received an offer" and Löw had then released him for the day. Germany are preparing for a Euro 2012 qualifier against Austria on Friday.
Mertesacker joined Bremen from Hanover in 2006. He has won 75 caps for Germany and played in two world cups. At almost 2 meters tall (6.5 feet), he would add some much-needed height to Arsenal's defensive line-up.
Mertesacker has previously said he would be happy to stay at Bremen, but would not rule anything out.
Werder reaction
On hearing the transfer rumor, Werder teammate Naldo said he was "sad" after playing with Mertesacker for four years. "But Arsenal is a top team," he added.
"It's understandable that Werder want to earn some money," said striker Markus Rosenberg. "It's always hard to lose a player after the fourth match day."
Arsenal are currently on the market for new players, having lost key playmakers Cesc Fabregas and Sami Nasri to new clubs, and then suffering a humiliating 8-2 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
According to a report in German football magazine Kicker, the London club also put in a bid for Borussia Dortmund's 19-year-old midfielder Mario Götze. However, the 40 million euro ($57.6 million) offer was allegedly declined.
The transfer window both in the English and German leagues closes on Wednesday.
Author: Catherine Bolsover (dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler