Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker is back on the agenda at Arsenal.
The Daily Mail says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is closing in on £8.7million Germany centre-back Mertesacker.
Claims by respected French newspaper L'Equipe on Tuesday that a deal has been done for Mertesacker are premature, but there are growing signs the 26-year old could be an Arsenal player ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline.
At 6ft 6in, the vastly-experienced defender would provide the physical presence so conspicuously absent during Sunday's rout, and he is renowned for putting his height to good use at set-pieces in the opposition's area.
There are misgivings, however, about a lack of mobility that could be exploited by the pace most leading Barclays Premier League teams have at their disposal.
