Former Dortmund star could return to Germany this summer.
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Hamburg are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicky this summer as they prepare for the exit of Heung-Min Son.
The Bundesliga outfit finished in 7th place this year, narrowly missing out on Europe, and seem unlikely to be able to persuade their star youngster to remain at the club after attracting interest from a number of Europe’s big names.
Arsenal themselves have been linked with the South Korean youngster, who scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists this season, establishing himself as one of the best young players in the Bundesliga.
Tottenham and Manchester City have also shown some interest in the 20-year-old, who can operate as a striker, or as part of an attacking midfield three behind the main centre-forward.
Rosicky can also fill a variety of attacking midfield positions, and has had a difficult time at Arsenal since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2006, unable to truly replicate his best form that made him a star in German football.
The Czech Republic international, now 32, has struggled with injuries for the last few years, and these continued setbacks have seen him fall behind in the pecking order at the club. He has shown only glimpses of his best ability for the Gunners, and could be moved on this summer as Arsene Wenger looks to rebuild his squad for a genuine challenge for silverware.
Under-performing members of the Gunners squad such as Andrey Arshavin, Denilson, and Sebastien Squillaci have already been shown the door, and Rosicky may be next if Hamburg step up their interest in him.
It is thought that Arsenal may accept a bid of around £4million for Rosicky, but Hamburg remain uncertain over his age and recent injury record, despite this relatively low price.
Rosicky has recently expressed a desire to stay at Arsenal and win his first piece of silverware for the Gunners, but he may fall further down the pecking order as the club targets the likes of Lyon attacking midfielder Clement Grenier in this summer’s transfer window, and will not want to spend the final few years of his career as a backup player.
The Czech had been linked with a return to Dortmund earlier in the year, though that seems unlikely now due to their recent rise and increased spending ability following the big-money sale of star youngster Mario Goetze to Bayern Munich.
If he joins Hamburg, Rosicky would line up alongside Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who formerly played for Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham.