Websites and newspapers, particularly in the UK, are alive with reports that Serge Gnabry wants a return to Arsenal this summer, but does he really?

Just a week or so ago it was being reported that Liverpool and Manchester United were keen on a move for Serge Gnabry, with contract talks in Germany not advancing.

Now, it is being claimed by multiple outlets that he wants a ‘stunning’ return to Arsenal.

That, however, is incredibly misleading and it all smells of agent games, unfortunately.

It is true that Serge Gnabry has said he would consider retuning to England, but he said that four years ago in an interview with ESPN.

“I wanted to extend my contract there [at Arsenal],” Gnabry said.

“I had a great pre-season and almost never went to the [2016] Olympics in order to take my chance in London [at Arsenal].

“Coach Arsene Wenger would have liked to have kept me, but then I opted to go to the Olympics. [After the Olympics] Arsenal wanted all the more to renew.

“A lot of offers arrived. I thought about it for a long time and arrived at the decision. You have to try somewhere else. It’s easier to play every week at Bremen than at Arsenal.

“In any case, my wish is to play in England again at some stage. The atmosphere there is unique. If you have experienced that, you miss it. I want to experience that again.”

Gnabry is out of contract in 18 months and, as such, is in talks with Bayern Munich over a new deal.

Both parties are said to be some distance apart with the former Arsenal player said to want wages to match those of Leroy Sane (approx €13m-a-year).

Gnabry wants to stay with the German champions but that hasn’t stopped some parts of the media linking him with a move.

That’s what happens during contract negotiations, agents phone their favoured journalists and the next thing you know, we are reading about Serge Gnabry’s stunning Arsenal return.

It would indeed be a stunning return, and an inexplicable one for the German who is at the peak of his powers, playing week in, week out for one of the best sides in world football.

You can read more here about why Arsenal sold Gnabry and how Bayern Munich played a role in easing him from the club via the back door.