Per Mertesacker has been tagged 'the leader in the Germany team' by Klaus Allofs © PA Photos Enlarge

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker could return to German football with Wolfsburg, Kicker says.

The magazine reported that Wolfsburg general manager Klaus Allofs had expressed an interest in signing the 28-year-old Germany international over the summer if the Gunners decide to let him go.

"Everyone knows what I think of Per," Allofs, who signed Mertesacker in 2006 while general manager at Werder Bremen, said.

"He was the leader at Bremen and I also believe he is the leader in the Germany team. If he is for sale, he will always be of interest."

Allofs is rebuilding the squad left by former boss Felix Magath and appears to be in the process of moving several defenders on.

Marco Russ, Felipe and Emanuel Pogatetz have all gone out on loan, with none seeming to have a future with the 2009 Bundesliga champions.

Wolfsburg have opted not to extend Alexander Madlung's contract, while former Liverpool centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Denmark international Simon Kjaer are also set to leave.

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