Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker has been backed for a return to former club Werder Bremen by the Bundesliga side's captain, Clemens Fritz.
The former Germany international, 32, is in the last few months of his contract with the Gunners, and Bremen's Fritz said, "It would be a good thing for the club" if Mertesacker were to return when his deal runs out in the summer, per Bild (via ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld).
Mertesacker joined Arsenal from Werder in 2011 and has gone on to be named club captain at the Emirates Stadium, but he now faces competition from Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista, Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi for a starting spot.