Source: Team_Talk
Werder want to keep Mertesacker
Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs claims the club have no plans to sell central defender Per Mertesacker.[LNB] Speculation continues to link the Germany international with a move elsewhere, with Arsenal reported to be among those expressing an interest.[LNB]Bremen, though, are adamant that the centre-half is not for sale and have been given no indication by the player or his representatives that they are looking for a transfer.[LNB]"I have already said on a couple of occasions that Per will be staying on at our club and will go on playing for Werder Bremen," Allofs told BILD.[LNB]"Nothing has changed with regard to this and neither Per nor his agent have come to us saying that they have received an offer."[LNB]While Bremen are confident regarding their chances of retaining Mertesacker, they face a struggle to keep Mesut Ozil at the club.[LNB]The talented playmaker, who impressed at this summer's World Cup, is attracting mounting interest and, with just a year left to run on his contract, Allofs accepts that a deal could be struck should a suitable offer be lodged.[LNB]"There are many clubs interested in Mesut, but none of these clubs have made an offer as yet," he said.[LNB]"Should there be an offer on the table, we would consider it. Everything is still possible at the moment.[LNB]"I would like to see the transfer window close now, with the team we have, because we are looking forward to competing in the Champions League."
