According to reports in The Telegraph, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho wants to sign Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil on a free transfer next summer in order to address the problematic No 10 position.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Telegraph says that the Germany international is out of contract at the end of the season and is reluctant to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium as he believes he needs a new challenge.
With Henrikh Mkhitaryan struggling after a strong start to the campaign Mourinho is looking for a new No 10, but The Telegraph says it is believed that he would prefer to wait until the summer to sign the 29-year-old for free rather than pay the £20-£25m it would cost to get him in January.
The Telegraph reports that the Red Devils’ hands could be forced if clubs from abroad show an interest in Ozil in the New Year however, as he would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with them.
The report adds that that is a scenario that Arsene Wenger may prefer rather than seeing the attacking midfielder join United – a direct Premier League rival.
How has Ozil done this season?
After a slow start to the campaign, the 29-year-old has started to find form in his last five Premier League appearances with two goals and five assists.
The playmaker scored one and assisted a further two in the 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town at the Emirates during the week, and he will be hoping to bring those impressive stats into the clash against United on Saturday evening.
Would he be a good signing for United?
He certainly would be.
If the Red Devils could get a player that has scored 25 goals and provided a further 50 assists in 127 Premier League appearances for Arsenal on a free transfer, it would probably be one of the best signings of the decade.
The No 10 position has proven to be a big issue in recent weeks whether Mourinho is playing with a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2 system, and he would love to be reunited with Ozil having previously worked successfully with him during the duo’s time together with Real Madrid.
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