Arsenal are ready to offer Per Mertesacker a new contract, according to reports. The defender’s current deal is set to expire at the end of next season, and it is thought Arsenal want to extend his contract a further two years, keeping him at the club until 2017.
Mertesacker, who turned 29 at the weekend, has become a vital part of the Arsenal defence following a difficult first season with the club. The German has adapted to the nature of the Premier League and has been on fine form for the club in 2013.
Arsene Wenger invested £9million to sign Per from Werder Bremen on summer deadline day 2011. Since then he has improved with each game, and has also cemented his place in the Germany national team ahead of the World Cup in Rio next summer. It is reported the defender currently earns around £60,000 per-week with any new deal set to increase his weekly wage to around £80,000.
Mertesacker captained the Gunners earlier this season and has also been joined by fellow German Internationals Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil since his arrival.
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Photo by Ronnie Macdonald