Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Özil, in recent weeks.
The latest reports even suggest that the Red Devils are edging closer to bagging the German international, who is in the final 12 months of his current deal at the Emirates.
It appears Özil won’t be signing a new deal in North London and could make a switch to Premier League rivals Manchester United instead.
Indeed, a report in the Daily Mirror says that the 2014 World Cup winner has already told teammates that he will move to Old Trafford after snubbing the latest contract offer from Arsenal.
Mesut Özil has been a regular in Arsène Wenger’s side since making what was then a club record £42.5 million move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. This came three years after José Mourinho had taken him to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Despite often being criticised for his inconsistent performances in the Premier League, the 29-year-old has provided more assists since arriving in the English top flight than any other player (45). And he’s done that without a top striker to supply until this season.
Whether United make a move for Özil in January, or wait until the summer where he could be available on a free transfer, remains to be seen. However, should he reunite with José Mourinho at Old Trafford then he has the ability to be a star in the current United formation.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan currently plays the number 10 role for the Red Devils but has not been very productive in the position since August. The only other options available to the Portuguese coach are Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata, with the latter never seemingly being Mourinho’s preferred choice and often playing out on the right wing.
Having goalscorers like Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford around means Mesut Özil could certainly thrive in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where he could play his usual number 10 role. He has a big target in Lukaku to supply with close-range headed chances and pace in Martial and Rashford to slide in on goal.
Mesut Özil was considered one of the world’s best in his role under Mourinho at Real Madrid and – although many don’t consider him to be built for the Premier League – a fresh chance at an attacking side like Manchester United with plenty of talent going forward, could be what the attacking midfielder needs to get back to his very best.
