Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)

Liverpool are leading the race for Werder Bremen’s World Cup star Per Mertesacker.

Mertesacker, the 26 year-old centre-back, is now on the Kop radar after director of football Damien Comolli made a ­personal check on him before Christmas. Bremen are ­prepared to sell the 26-year-old following their exit from the Champions League – but have told any interested clubs that the bidding will start at £10million.

Comolli watched ­Mertesacker in action as ­Werder suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Kaiserslautern on December 18 in their final Bundesliga game before the German winter break.

He recommended Liverpool should make a move for the Germany international.
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But Liverpool are also keen to balance their books by ­shipping out a central ­defender to make way for the highly-rated German. They will look to cash in on Daniel Agger before they make a move for Mertesacker.

Agger is being touted around ­Europe after being told he can leave Anfield following his fall from grace under manager Roy Hodgson.

Mertesacker had an ­outstanding World Cup as Germany knocked out ­England before losing to ­eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals.

And he fits the player profile Comolli gave new ­Liverpool owners New ­England Sports Ventures when they decided to appoint him following their takeover in October.

At 26, Mertesacker is yet to enjoy the peak years of his career and would maintain his market value. He’s been with Bremen since moving from hometown club Hannover 96 in a ­£3million deal in 2006. Arsenal, who have also been scouring Europe for a centre-back and have checked out Mertesacker, are also once again monitoring the ­availability of Bolton centre-back Gary ­Cahill.

Bolton ­refused to listen to ­Arsenal’s overtures for the ­England star last­ summer, but if there’s any softening in Bolton’s ­positioning then the Gunners will pounce.


Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-transfer-news-Reds-lead-Arsenal-in-the-race-for-Germany-and-Werder-Bremen-star-Per-Mertesacker-Exclusive-article661687.html#ixzz19pVnB000
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Offload Daniel Agger?

Hell no.

I'd sell skrtel, keep agger

I'd sell skrtel, keep agger

Sell Skrtel for 6 million. Buy Mertesacker for 13 million. Him and agger would be an amazing. He's far better then Cahill. I doubt this is true.

No thank you, very dodgy defender if you ask me, too clumsy.

I think Skrtel has had a very poor season and per mertsacker is a quality player. He is 26 a little older but think he will be great

No thank you, very dodgy defender if you ask me, too clumsy.

Clumsy? Have you been seeing Skrtel this season. He's clumsy. Mertesacker is a dominating center half. Have you ever watched him. Except from the world cup

Clumsy? Have you been seeing Skrtel this season. He's clumsy. Mertesacker is a dominating center half. Have you ever watched him. Except from the world cup

I seen him at the last 2 world cups and a few matches in Europe too. Don't think he'd be worth such a large sum of money when we can get someone like Wheater for half the price. Also, don't know if it's true but the commentator (whoever it was) said in one of Bremen's matches this year that he is picking up injuries lately?

I seen him at the last 2 world cups and a few matches in Europe too. Don't think he'd be worth such a large sum of money when we can get someone like Wheater for half the price. Also, don't know if it's true but the commentator (whoever it was) said in one of Bremen's matches this year that he is picking up injuries lately?

Your saying you would rather have wheater for 5 million then Merteasacker for 10 million?

Mertesacker is quality, but this season his performences are on the same level as bremen plays in all competitions - poor & not good enough. maybe he's just sick of werder, he always told about his desire to play for an international club.
10 mio. € would be a fair deal, if he's getting in a good form, he's much more worth than this....

I seen him at the last 2 world cups and a few matches in Europe too. Don't think he'd be worth such a large sum of money when we can get someone like Wheater for half the price. Also, don't know if it's true but the commentator (whoever it was) said in one of Bremen's matches this year that he is picking up injuries lately?

Your saying you would rather have wheater for 5 million then Merteasacker for 10 million?

Quite the mathmatician

And yea I really would, think he's got the ability to be as dominating a centerback as Mertesacker would be, plus it leaves money in the kitty for more players.

Quite the mathmatician

And yea I really would, think he's got the ability to be as dominating a centerback as Mertesacker would be, plus it leaves money in the kitty for more players.

What's David wheater done so far. mertesacker is a german international. Meh never mind, some people want a championship standard player over a world cup finalist. We all know what a defensive force Middlesbrough are

Sunday mirror reports comoli went and watched per mertesacker on the 18th against kaiserlaten (spelling is off but you know who I mean)

What's David wheater done so far. mertesacker is a german international. Meh never mind, some people want a championship standard player over a world cup finalist. We all know what a defensive force Middlesbrough are

Didn't say he's a better player per say, but that it's better value for money.

 I have no worries about signing this man but not at the expense of Agger,there is other dead wood we could get rid of before Agger. (Roy's mate for example.

Agreed,

Off-load Konchesky and Skyrtel (he doesn't inspire me) and keep Soto but sign Mertesacker - him and Agger would be awesome partnership.

Wheater is sh*te, this lad is much better.

Wheater is a calamitous defender. Had a good start in the Premier League, but not anymore. Worse than Skrtel. And he's apparently a 1.5m pound target for a club i forget, it was on BBC gossip.

Would much rather Mertesacker between the two, but would like someone else.

I think Mertesacker is good (far better then Wheater) but he serious lacks pace. I don't get why we need any center backs? We have Skrtel, Agger, Soto, Carragher and two youngsters in Wilson and Ayala. Please explain why we need a center back. if theres any center back we should go for it should be samba, best header of the ball in the pl imo and has a surprising amount of pace and agility, could be brought for cheap but only if we sell Skrtel, Soto.

Would make a good partner for Agger, as Per is more like Soto, dominant in the air and physically impressive.

I'd perhaps prefer Rami in this category because he is two years younger, look faster and is having a better season, but Mertesacker being more proven at international level he is an understandable choice too.

Unfortunately if we buy one of them it seems Agger if the only defender we think about selling.

Mertesacker is a good defender but I don't want him here as he very much lacks pace. I'd rather have one of Cahill, Shawcross or Samba with premier league experience.

Is 26 an age that FSG will be alright with?

Mertesacker and Agger would be fantastic. Per isn't that fast, but he wins almost every header and has alot of experience, not only from being Germanys defenseboss for a few years from now and he's only 26. He's been the best defender in the Bundesliga for the last two-three years, though he had some up and downs last year. If we're able to get him for like 10-12 Mios, we shouldn't hesitate at all.