Former Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry leaves Werder Bremen fearing cut-price January exit
The German international has impressed since returning to his homeland, scoring seven times in 15 Bundesliga outings for struggling Werder
Werder Bremen fear losing ex-Arsenal youngster Serge Gnabry in January - after just five months at the Weserstadion.
The 21-year-old has shone for the Bundesliga strugglers since his August arrival from the Emirates, scoring seven goals in 15 games.
He has also gone on to make his senior Germany debut - having earlier impressed for the Under-23s as they won silver at the Olympics - scoring a hat-trick on his Mannschaft bow, in an 8-0 win over San Marino.
Gnabry joined Werder for just £5million, despite Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wanting to keep him, even offering a new contract.
However, the winger desired a fresh start on a permanent basis and returned to his homeland, where he has greatly enhanced his reputation.
Gnabry has previously insisted that rejecting a longer stay at Arsenal was the right thing to do, in his bid to prove himself and kick on with a career that had threatened to stagnate in English football.
Yet while he inked a four-year deal, Bild reports a release clause was also inserted, allowing Gnabry to depart for just £6.8million.
The club’s general manager, Frank Baumann, last week stated that no offers have been forthcoming as yet. And coach Alexander Nouri has stated that he hopes to keep the winger with the River Islanders.
"We know how fast-paced the business is,” said Nouri. "We do not have many factors in our own hands. [But] We believe he can continue to improve and develop.
"I'm optimistic, though, that he can see a future at Werder. The move to Werder was just right. That he has become a national player here, is proof of this."
Gnabry has been mooted as a potential January signing for surprise package RB Leipzig, while Bremen have, on numerous occasions, denied that a £6million deal to take him to Bayern next season has already been done.
Bremen are currently in the midst of their winter break and don’t return to Bundesliga action until January 21, when they host Borussia Dortmund.