Werder Bremen have admitted that they already held ‘initial talks’ with Per Mertesacker as the speculation regarding the future of Arsenal’s non-playing captain increases.

Out of contract next summer, Hannover 96 have already expressed an interest but now Werder Bremen have thrown themselves into the mix in another admission that seems to bend the rules more than a little (Werder Bremen still haven’t cleared up the controversy surrounding Serge Gnabry’s transfer and Bayern Munich’s involvement).

Speaking to Bild, general manager, Frank Baumann, said, “In the course of the transfer of Serge, we talked about his future.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the conversation was anything other than a polite enquiry which was shut down by Mertesacker.

It doesn’t mean it was that either.

Per’s future will very much depend on what Arsenal want.

If they decide to keep him and offer him a new deal, I’ve no doubt that he will sign it.

Would they really make another player captain who they knew could leave the following season?