Werder Bremen have confirmed that they are in talks with Arsenal over bringing in Serge Gnabry, but insist Bayern Munich will have no input into the deal.
It was reported earlier today that Bayern were plotting a shock swoop for the German youth international, with the intention of subsequently loaning him on to Werder.
Gnabry, whose contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season, has attracted the interest of several Bundesliga sides after his exploits at the Olympics. The 21-year-old scored six goals for the eventual silver medallists.
But Bremen are confident that they will get their man, and sporting director Frank Baumann insisted they wouldn’t need Bayern’s help to get him.
Arsenal's summer 2016 transfer window timeline
“Serge Gnabry would like to play for us,” he told a press conference. “Talks with Arsenal are going well.
“Bayern Munich have no influence on a potential transfer… We’ve agreed terms with the player and we’re confident that the transfer will go ahead.
“If the Gnabry deal doesn’t go through, which I don’t expect to happen, we won’t be doing any more business.
“We have basically reached an agreement with Arsenal, but nothing is signed yet.”
Arsene Wenger said two weeks ago that he hopes to extend Gnabry’s deal at the Emirates and he is unlikely to sanction a departure unless a sizeable fee is offered.
Joel Campbell was sent on loan to Sporting partly to free up a squad space for Gnabry, who first rose to prominence at just 18 years of age, making nine league appearances in the 2013/14 season. A severe injury hampered the youngster’s progress whilst a loan spell at West Brom last season yielded just six minutes of Premier League action.
