Germany manager Joachim Low has revealed the Per Mertesacker has been released from training with the national team in order to complete his move to Arsenal.
The 26-year-old is expected to be in London for a medical with the Gunners on Tuesday ahead of joining the Premier League club. Low has confirmed that whilst preparing for Germany’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Austria on Friday, the Werder Breman defender has been allowed to temporary leave the camp.
“Per called me late at night and informed me of this,” said Low.
“I told the players that I had set him free for the day. There is an offer.”
Mertesacker has been the subject of rumours linking him with a move to the Emirates all summer as he is in his final year of his contract at Breman. Although the 6ft 6 defender had previously said that he wasn’t looking to move away from Breman, but also confirmed that he would not rule anything out.
The deal looks set to be finalised before Wednesday’s transfer deadline as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to add to his defence who conceded eight goals at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Mertesacker is thought to cost Arsenal a fee around £8.8million and will sign a four-year contract.