According to reports coming out of Germany, Arsenal have got in touch with Borussia Monchengladbach regarding re-signing Havard Nordtveit.

Nordtveit left Arsenal in January 2011 (doesn’t seem that long ago) after three years at the club in which he made no competitive appearances for the first team (perhaps because he was just 17-20 and out on loan).

Now 25, the defensive midfielder is out of contract in the summer and his club are keen to tie him down to a new deal, especially due to his versatility which means he can also play as a right and centre-back, his main positions while at Arsenal and why he was allowed to leave.

Monchengladbach’s coach, André Schubert, wants a resolution to his contract saga by the end of this month, telling the media “We want a decision by the end of February.

Mainz' French defender Gaetan Bussmann (R) and Moenchengladbach's Norwegian midfielder Havard Nordtveit vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match of FSV Mainz 05 vs Borussia Moenchengladbach in Mainz, western Germany DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/Getty Images
Mainz’ French defender Gaetan Bussmann (R) and Moenchengladbach’s Norwegian midfielder Havard Nordtveit vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match of FSV Mainz 05 vs Borussia Moenchengladbach in Mainz, western Germany DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/Getty Images

“He is extremely important for us, with his power and passion he leads the boys.

“In his current form, he always has a place in my starting XI.”

Powerful praise indeed for the man who has yet to sign the contract extension he has been offered.

It’s not beyond the realms that Arsene Wenger could be interested in bringing the Norway international back to the club. When Nordtveit left, Wenger said “He was not even practising every day with the first team, so he needs to play.

“He is a fantastic character, with great quality. He played last year because we gave him to Nurnberg [on loan], he came back and didn’t play and he needs to play now. That’s why we let him go.

LONDON - JULY 19: Havard Nordtveit Arsenal during the Pre Season Friendly match between Barnet and Arsenal at Underhill on July 19, 2008 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
Coming back? (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

“Yes [I had high hopes for him], but we have a number of centre backs and full backs so he didn’t get the games. I thought in December that it was the right moment for him to go and play.”

The report in BILD claimw that Arsenal have got in touch with the Germans along with Tottenham (they always end up there) and Leicester.

Nordtveit has 19 appearances in the Bundesliga this season with four goals and one assist. He has also played six in the Champions League and two in the German Cup.

Monchengladbach are currently fifth in Germany, one point behind third-placed Hertha Berlin who travel to FC Koln on Friday night before Monchengladbach face Liverpool’s Europa League opponents, FC Augsburg, on Sunday.