WERDER BREMEN HOPEFUL OVER PER MERTESACKER

General manager Klaus Allofs insists Per Mertesacker could still sign a new deal at Werder Bremen, despite reports linking him with English side Arsenal.

The Gunners were apparently chasing Germany international Mertesacker's signature in January, but a deal for the defender fell through.

Speculation on Sunday suggested the Gunners have renewed their interest in the centre-back, who will be out of contract in Bremen next summer.

But Allofs is resolute the 26-year-old, who is currently sidelined with a heel injury sustained in May, could pen a new contract with the Bundesliga club.

"The chance of Per Mertesacker remaining with us is still alive," He told Deutsche Presseagentur.

"We have just dropped talks of a new deal for now. It's not off the cards. We have a season to go and we could easily start to discuss it during the new campaign."

Experienced defender Mertesacker arrived at the Weserstadion from Bundesliga rivals Hannover in 2006 and has since notched up over 140 appearances for the side.

He has made 75 appearances for Germany and could be the solution to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's defensive issues as he looks to bolster his backline this summer.

The Gunners have also been linked with Bolton's Gary Cahill and Blackburn stopper Chris Samba.

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LEVERKUSEN HIT BY ADLER INJURY SETBACK

Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler will undergo knee surgery on Wednesday and will miss the start of the new German Bundesliga season.

The 26-year-old German International will be operated to remove scar tissue from the patellar tendon in his right knee.

Adler injured his knee in the pre-season game with Salzburg on July 3 and admits surgery is the only option.

"I have to have an operation if I want to play this forthcoming season without pain," he told the club's official website, www.bayer04.de.

"It is a major blow for us," said Leverkusen general manager Rudi Voller.

"We will wait and see how quickly Rene can recover from his surgery but there is no fixed date."

Fabian Giefer or David Yelldell will start in goal in the season opener against Mainz on August 7.

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HAMMERS AGREED POTTERS FEE FOR COLE

Barclays Premier League team Stoke City has agreed a fee with recently-relegated West Ham for striker Carlton Cole.

The 27-year-old England international is set to hold talks with Stoke boss Tony Pulis after returning from Hammers Pre-season tour of Switzerland.

Potters chairman Peter Coates told "We have agreed terms with West Ham, that's done. Now it's a case of can we agree terms with Carlton?"

Cole joined West Ham from London Rivals Chelsea in July 2006 and has netted 42 goals in 165 appearances for the Hammers.

The fee is believed to be around £4million with possible £2million add-ons.

Coates admits this is not the first time Stoke have attempted to sign Cole but is hoping this time a move will come to an end.

"We come from two different places. He has got an injury problem - he has always had that - and that is a risk you take so we have to factor that in," he said.

"But he is a good player and Tony has always liked him. Manager's like different players but Tony has always liked him.

"I think we've tried to sign him around three times over the past few years without succeeding so maybe we will get somewhere this year."

Cole was also in the radar of recently promoted QPR but he could now be set for a move to the Britannia Stadium, which may end Pulis' pursuit of Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome.

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CORINTHIANS MAKE £35 MILLION TEVEZ BID

Brazilian giants Corinthians have tabled an offer of £35m for Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez.

Unsettled Argentine wants to leave City after two years with the club and has cited family reasons, saying last week that he wants to be closer to his two children and their mother who live in Argentina.

It initially seemed a unbelievable prospect that Tevez would be able to move to South America, as no club was believed to have the financial power to sign him from City. But the offer from Brazilian club Corinthians may impress City.

It would mean 27-year-old Tevez joining a team who are not their rivals in any competition, and he would be rejoining the club he played for from 2004 to 2006, before making a divisive move to West Ham(England).

Until Corinthians made their interest known to Manchester City, Tevez looked certain to remain in Europe, possibly to Real Madrid or AC Milan, both potential Champions League rivals of City in the coming season.

Tevez has netted 53 goals in 86 appearances for the Blues since joining from city rivals Manchester United, highlighting what a key figure he is in manager Roberto Mancini's squad.

He struggled for form after recovering from a hamstring injury towards the end of last season but still finished level with Dimitar Berbatov as leading scorer in the Barclays Premier League and helped City to the Champions League Spot.

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