Mesut Ozil might be heading the exit door in the January transfer window. The Arsenal star was left out of the squad against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup Quarterfinals on Wednesday. When the purpose was asked to Unai Emery thrice about dropping the midfielder, the Spaniard said that it was down to “tactical reasons”.
According to the reliable English outlet Independent, Ozil will be free to leave in the forthcoming transfer window due to the discord over his tactical role in this current Arsenal side.
One training ground source said: “Every player has bought into the manager’s ideas so far, except Mesut.”
The likes of Alex Iwobi, Alexander Lacazette, Hector Bellerin, and Granit Xhaka have all excelled under the management of Unai Emery this term, but the German remains the same player with the same stubborn approach, expecting his manager to change the methods. Apart from six to seven games, Ozil has never been the standout player for the Gunners this campaign.
The 30-year-old sees himself as a most advanced midfielder to stay with the attackers and create chances, but Emery wants him to do the defensive part of the game coupled with constant pressing which is merely his philosophy. This has bought up some zappy conversations in the past between these two.
Despite this problem, the former Real Madrid man complained of back spasm after continuously playing a popular video game named the fortnite. Correspondingly, he had to miss three league games because of this issue which has clearly infuriated Unai Emery.
The German put pen to paper earlier this year, extending his contract until 2021 and he is one of the highest earners across the continent with 300,000 pounds per week. Unless it’s Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United or Manchester City, very few clubs will be ready to match his weekly wage to lure him to their club.
The only option could be loaning him out, but Arsenal will have to pay some of his wages. Else, the German must be prepared to take the salary cut to join any other club. It is understood that Inter Milan are still interested in the 30-year-old to take him to San Siro.
According to Daily Mail, Mesut Ozil’s representatives are in talks with Inter Milan to get the deal done for a fee which is as low as 25 million pounds.
It’s a tricky situation for the Gunners who are ready to sell him to fund for the arrival of the Argentine Cristian Pavon, who has been linked to signing with Unai Emery’s side in the forthcoming transfer window for a fee of 40 million upwards from Boca Juniors.
Should Mesut Ozil leave, it would leave a huge gap in the attacking midfield department to cover up as Aaron Ramsey has also refused to sign a new contract with the Gunners which is expiring next summer.
Mesut Ozil has made 14 appearances this season, and some of his performances have been underwhelming which could be another reason for Unai Emery to look elsewhere. As the festive fixtures beckons, Arsenal will play Burnley at the Emirates on Saturday.
