Werder Bremen captain Clemens Fritz has revealed that he conversed with Per Mertesacker about a return.

The Arsenal skipper left the Weserstadion in 2011 to try his luck in the Premier League and has emerged as a quality centre-half for the Gunners.

But with his contract up at the end of the season, the currently injured German defender is contemplating a move back home with both of his former clubs Bremen and Hannover 96 being touted.

Fritz told Bild that the possibility of Mertesacker coming back to Bremen had certainly been discussed.

"We've talked about it [a return to Bremen]," he said.

"It would be a good thing for the club."

The summer arrivals of compatriot Shkodran Mustafi and promising youngster Rob Holding suggest that perhaps Mertesacker's time at the Emirates Stadium will come to a close at season's end.