#29 Per Mertesacker - TalkSoccer

**Pennywise** · 20-07-2006, 09:42 PM

Werder Bremen have re-opened talks with Bundesliga rivals Hannover for German international defender Per Mertesacker.

The 21-year-old World Cup star has already insisted he would like a move away from the AWD-Arena to play regular European football, but the clubs are yet to agree a fee.

Hannover turned down an initial €3.5 million (£2.4 million) offer prior to the tournament and are now ready to offer €5 million (£3.4 million) for the promising youngster.

Bremen's director of sport Klaus Allofs has suggested the club have already agreed personal terms with Mertesacker and are using a clause in his contract, which would see him available for €1.4 million (£960,000) in June 2007, to their advantage.

"One way or another, we will reach a solution over the next few days," Allofs declared.

"Per wants to join us and he wants to do it now."

The team have already signed Cameroon defender Pierre Wome, Bayer Leverkusen striker Clemens Fritz and Porto duo Diego and Hugo Almeida, but are anxious to challenge domestically and on the European stage in the coming season.

The North Germans were disappointed to be knocked-out of the UEFA Champions League by Juventus last term, and are desperate to progress further this time round.

> Werder have a very good and exciting team. They've also the WC heroes Torsten Frings, Miroslav Klose and Tim Borowski. Had been great if they had signed the tall Hannover96 giant, Mertelsacker.

Bremens weakness is in the defence and they probably need a new goali. They have bringed in some exiting players and Bremen is a typically machine team which works well together and they are playing offensive and entertaining football.

Yes, they were knocked-out in the CL, but that was because of miss of the year by the second keeper on overtime in Turin.

I hope they will do well the coming season and copy 2004, when they won the double. But Bayern will probably be too strong this year too.

In Germany

04Fan · 26-07-2006, 02:46 PM

thats a signing that Werder need, Per will have confidence coming into this season after a strong WC and Bremen need confident defenders.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-07-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04Fan

thats a signing that Werder need, Per will have confidence coming into this season after a strong WC and Bremen need confident defenders.

Yeah that's right. He's going to be a good partner for Naldo in the center defense.
But Bayern is still the best team in Germany.

04Fan · 27-07-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

But Bayern is still the best team in Germany.

yes that is true, but hopefully the likes of Bremen and HSV will make a stronger challenge to Bayern this season.

Bayers midfield is considerably weaker without Ballack and Ze Roberto it will need Bastian and the others to step up.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-07-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04Fan

yes that is true, but hopefully the likes of Bremen and HSV will make a stronger challenge to Bayern this season.

Bayers midfield is considerably weaker without Ballack and Ze Roberto it will need Bastian and the others to step up.

Yes. Without Ballack and Ze Roberto (do you know what club is going to represent this season?) is certainly weaker. Altough, Hargreaves, Schweinsteiger, Deisler , Karimi/Scholl is still good.

04Fan · 27-07-2006, 04:20 PM

If youre aksing about where Ze Roberto is playing now, i dont think hes signed anywhere yet. Several teams in Italy and Spain have shown interest though.

Lazarus · 27-07-2006, 04:22 PM

Reports are Ze Roberto may go to Bordeaux but Rivaldo is trying to persuade him to come to Olympiakos.

Don't Werder have Fahrenhorst and Baumann for central defender, although Mertersakker may be a good buy at that price.

Bayern will most likely win although it will be closer this time round. Hopefully, my team Schalke will give them a run for their money.

04Fan · 27-07-2006, 05:09 PM

yes Farenhorst and Baumann are at Werder although both starting to get up there in age. 28 and 30.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-07-2006, 05:15 PM

Schalke, HSV Bremen and Bayern are the favorites to win the league.
I hope Bayern wins, but this year isn't going to be easy. Ballack was super-important for Bayern. We'll see what happens.

Lazarus · 27-07-2006, 05:38 PM

Bayern do have the promising Julio Dos Santos to replace Ballack but rather than going for Van Nistelroyo they should get another top class AM. They already have good enough strikers.

04Fan · 27-07-2006, 06:29 PM

exactly, Ruud is the wrong move after signing Podolski. Unless they plan to sell Makaay because you wouldnt want an expensive striker like him sitting the bench.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-07-2006, 07:55 PM

I've heard something about Makaay being unhappy at Bayern, so we can supose that he is looking forward to leave the club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Bayern do have the promising Julio Dos Santos to replace Ballack but rather than going for Van Nistelroyo they should get another top class AM. They already have good enough strikers.

Have you saw dos Santos playing?
I don't know him so I can't tell anything.

**Pennywise** · 30-07-2006, 11:48 AM

Many good candidates to the league title in Germany. Bayern Munchen, Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV, Schalke04...

However, I think Bayern will be too strong this season too. They are majestic home at Alianz Arena and they've no weakness in the squad. Bremen is depended to keep the star players (Klose, Frings, Borowski) and buy in some new central defenders. I hope they'll get Per from Hannover96.

Lazarus · 08-08-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Tuesday, 8 August 2006

German international defender Per Mertesacker has joined UEFA Champions League hopefuls Werder Bremen from Hannover 96. The transfer fee is in the region of €5m and the deal will also see fellow centre-back Frank Fahrenhorst travel in the opposite direction.

Great potential

Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs said: "After Per made it clear he wanted to join Werder Bremen, we are very happy to have reached an agreement with Hannover." Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf added of the 21-year-old Mertesacker: "Someone who had such a strong [FIFA] World Cup at his age will strengthen our team from the very start. His potential is huge."

Not fit

Mertesacker, who has agreed a four-year contract, has spent three seasons in the Bundesliga, making 74 appearances and scoring seven goals for Hannover. He won the first of his 29 Germany caps in October 2004 against Iran, before being part of the host nation's squad at this summer's World Cup. Mertesacker will not be fit to play when Bremen visit his former club on Sunday as he has a heel injury. Fahrenhorst is expected to feature for Hannover, however, having signed a deal until 2009. The 28-year-old appeared 39 times in two league campaigns at the Weserstadion. At Hannover he links up with Peter Neururer, who was his coach at VfL Bochum 1848.

A great coup for Bremen, a young and talented defender that will surely aid the cause for them to win the Bundesliga title. The price is also a good one, Bremen look to have a strong side for the coming season.

**Pennywise** · 08-08-2006, 12:41 PM

Great deal for Werder. They needed a good and tall defender and now they have got Germans no 1 behind there.

Very good news for Bremen.