Arsenal Transfer News: latest on Per Mertesacker, Top Rumours

Per Mertesacker reportedly wants to stay at Arsenal beyond this season, despite rumours linking the 32-year-old centre-back with a return to the Bundesliga.

Mertesacker has just one year left on his current deal with the north London club, but he told Spox (h/t TalkSport.com) how he's keen to sign a new contract with the Gunners: "A new Arsenal contract has absolute priority for me, but no dates have been set [for talks]. Arsenal has the highest priority for me. Everything else is pure speculation, and I won't join the discussion."

The speculation Mertesacker referred to involves links with his former club Hannover 96. Rumours of a return have raged since the summer, with the player even…