Mertesacker set for loan move away from Arsenal

Arsenal are looking set to allow experienced defender Per Mertesacker leave the club on loan this January, The Times can report.

The Germany international is yet to feature this season for The Gunners after they chose to sign defensive duo Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding in the summer, both of whom have played more regularly than Mertesacker, with the former in particular showing his quality at the back since his arrival from Valencia.

However, it looks as though the 32-year-old defender is set for a move away from The Gunners this month as the club look to offload him, with Mertesacker now seemingly deemed surplus to Arsene Wenger’s needs and requirements.

Mertesacker’s contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in the summer, so Arsenal will look to move him on in this month’s window in an attempt to get him off the wage bill.

The report suggests that the most likely destination for Mertesacker will be back in his homeland, in the Bundesliga.