Hannover director Martin Bader has revealed the 2. Bundesliga side are keen to re-sign Per Mertesacker, but realises they face an uphill task to lure the centre-back away from Arsenal at this stage.
Hannover admit re-signing Mertesacker tough task
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has attracted the interest of his boyhood club Hannover, with his contract due to expire come June 2017.
Recommended articles
The 32-year-old came through the ranks of the Hannover youth academy, before leaving for Werder Bremen after three years in the first team.
He then earned himself a move to Arsenal in August 2011, but his boyhood club are hopeful of luring him back to the HDI-Arena sooner rather than later.
"Everybody knows what Hannover mean to Per. Maybe we can make him enthusiastic about a return," Bader told Bild.
"But re-signing Mertesacker is not our main priority at the moment. We are playing in the 2. Bundesliga right now and he is Arsenal's captain. A lot of things will have to happen in order to make a return a realistic option. First of all, Hannover will have to return to the Bundesliga.
"A transfer is still far away now and it seems like a crazy thing to even discuss it. But anything can happen in football."
Mertesacker has yet to make an appearance for Arsenal this campaign due to a knee injury.
The defender has a contract with the Premier League side until June 2017.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh