Leverkusen lead way for bargain Arsenal defender chasing return to Germany

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Sead Kolasinac is chasing a return to Germany and Bayer Leverkusen are leading the hunt for the Arsenal defender, according to reports.

Sky Germany have reported that Kolasinac wants to return to Germany for family reasons.

The full-back was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s Premier League opening-weekend victory over Fulham. Ainsley Maitland-Niles started at left-wing-back with Mikel Arteta using Kieran Tierney on the left of a three-man defence.

Arteta also has youngster Bukayo Saka and is believed to be willing to let the 27-year-old leave The Emirates.

The Bosnian defender, who was a free-transfer from Schalke in 2017, has made 105 appearances for Arsenal. But he is entering the last two years of his contract and with little prospect of first-team football he looks destined to move on.

Leverkusen, Roma and Schalke, according to Sport BILD are all interested.

Schalke though do not have the finances to compete with Bayer Leverkusen, who recently sold Kai Havertz to Chelsea in a £7om deal.

And, as per the German source, Kolasinac wants to return to Germany. He and his wife Susubelle own a house in Düsseldorf – around 25 miles from Leverkusen.

Talks with Bayer are being pencilled in for next week with the fee set at around  €10m. The paper claims the sum is relatively low because of his €9m-a-season salary.

Roma are also believed to be eager to talk with the player, but his preference is to return to Germany.

Aouar fancies Arsenal move

Meanwhile, Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar “would like” to join Arsenal and the Gunners are preparing an imminent opening bid for his services, according to reports.

Arteta is reportedly targeting a move for France Under-21 international Aouar in the coming weeks.

Arteta wants to revamp his midfield and is also targeting a move for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.

Lyon sporting director Juninho confirmed on Tuesday that he has so far received no offers for his prized midfielder.

According to Telefoot Chaine, however, that situation will soon change, with Arsenal ready to step up their interest.

The source claims that a “concrete offer” from Arsenal will “soon” arrive for Aouar.

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