Arsenal are now actively pursuing buyers for Mesut Ozil in January as he edges closer to leaving the Gunners, claims The Daily Mirror.
Ozil’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season but Arsenal were hopeful of convincing the Germany international to pledge his long-term future to the club.
However, Arsene Wenger has made a dramatic change in mindset and is now hoping to cash in on the 29-year-old rather than losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
Arsenal were willing to offer Ozil a new £275,000-a-week contract but have reportedly given up any hope of keeping the creator beyond the end of the season as his representatives are demanding £350,000-a-week.
Ozil’s agent has already revealed his client wants to stay in the Premier League and that could open up the door to a move to Manchester United where Jose Mourinho is reportedly hopeful of reuniting with the former Real Madrid ace.
It remains to be seen whether United would be willing to sign Ozil in January or wait until the end of the season when they would be able to prise him away from the Emirates for nothing.
Despite perceptions about Ozil’s worth to the Arsenal starting XI, the Gunners have actually fared much better in the Premier League when the German has started. Since the start of last season, Arsenal have won 66.7% of their league matches with Ozil in the starting XI compared to just 30% when he hasn’t.
He would have been a great player in the 80s. Well, he's a great player now, but his lack of versatility and failure to be hard-working in defense will never allow him to be a world-class player. He's like van der Vaart: shame to leave him on the bench in big games, but you'll regret it if you'll play him. He can't turn a game around, but he'll make a gazillion assists if his team is already dominant.