Mertesacker has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for several years and Arsene Wenger may now attempt to complete a deal for the centre-back. Mertesacker has entered the final year of his contract at Bremen, who made a winning start to their new Bundesliga campaign on Saturday but were dumped out of the German Cup in the first round by lower-league opposition. And, having struggled to meet valuations of Everton's Phil Jagielka and Blackburn's Chris Samba, Arsenal may be able to land Mertesacker for as little as £6million. Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs is quoted as saying in The People: "We are willing to discuss a transfer for Per. "We have promised him we will listen to serious offers." Meanwhile Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has revealed that he expects Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to join the Catalan club very soon. "We expect to see Cesc in the Barca dressing room soon," said the 29-year-old in The People. "The players want him to come because he is a big friend and an extraordinary footballer."
