Pace is gathering on the rumours surrounding Per Mertesacker’s future, with reports suggesting that Arsenal and Liverpool will soon go head to head for the German defender’s signature.

Arsenal have been linked to Blackburn defender, Chris Samba as well as Mertesacker, but it looks as if, now that the transfer window has opened, Wenger is stepping up his chase for the Werder defender. According to reports, Arsenal have actually tabled a bid of £8.5 million, but the Bundesliga club apparently want a fee more in the region of £10 million.

Roy Hodgson’s interest is also clear, as he has apparently had Damien Comolli, the Liverpool director of football strategy watch the 26 year-old last month and has advised the Liverpool board to hand the money over and make his signing a priority. Jamie Carragher is currently out injured with a shoulder injury, and Mertesacker would definitely sure up the Liverpool defence and certainly be a great addition to the Reds squad in general.

Mertesacker is very experienced, with 127 games for his German club and an impressive total of 73 International appearances. He stands at a massive 6 foot 6 inches, and has the ability to score a few from set pieces because of his towering height. A total of 22 career goals mark out the German as a player who can add several advantages to the two sides defence which can sometimes be suspect.

It is likely that the defender would prefer a move to current high flyer’s Arsenal in London, as they are more or less guaranteed Champions League football next season, and have a very good chance of winning the Premier League title this season. The chance to be a part of this with Arsenal will probably be far more attractive than a mid-table scrap with a team that are often all over the place. Or maybe he likes a challenge.