Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has confirmed that he could leave the club this summer, per an interview with Sport Bild.
The Germany international has struggled for minutes this season, making just six starts in the Premier League.
He turned 28 in April and has a contract at the Emirates until 2021, though he has now hinted that he could well return to his native Germany this summer.
Mustafi has never actually played senior football in Germany, going from Everton, to Sampdoria, to Valencia and then to the Gunners.
However, he has confirmed that a move to the Bundesliga appeals to him.
He said: “In the current situation, it is difficult to predict how the transfer phase will go.
“The Bundesliga is always interesting for me. In terms of sport, it has made great progress.
“It’s also my home.”
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Mustafi’s time at Arsenal may well be over.
David Luiz and Sokratis have been the Gunners’ central defensive pairing for much of this season and, with William Saliba set to return from St Etienne next season, one thinks that Mustafi’s minutes will only diminish.
A move to Germany clearly appeals to him as he looks to finally make an impact in the Bundesliga.
Indeed, he began his career at Hamburg between 2006 and 2009, prior to his switch to the Toffees,
It could be a sensible move to make the switch this summer as Arsenal look to shift his £90,000-per-week wages (per Spotrac) off of their wage bill.
It remains to be seen, though, what kind of fee he will attract; he is valued at £10.8 million by Transfermarkt.