Mesut Ozil is reportedly so confident that a move to Manchester United will come off that he's been telling Arsenal teammates that he's Old Trafford-bound.
Ozil, who was Arsenal's record signing when he joined from Real Madrid on deadline day in 2013, has been stalling on a new contract at the Emirates and Arsene Wenger even admitted that he could be on the move when January rolls around.
The World Cup winner is out of contract in the summer and with there being no movement on an improved and extended deal being signed, The Mirror's chief football writer John Cross reports that Ozil has informed his colleagues that he expects to join rivals United.
It's not exactly set in stone for him to make the switch, which would be on a free in the summer window,just yet, as United would still need to press forward with a potential deal. But Old Trafford would appear to be his most likely next destination.
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Ozil arguably had the best years of his career under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid during their time together at the Bernabeu and the Portuguese boss appears keen on coaching him for a second time.
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Despite not striking you as an archetypal Mourinho player, Ozil won one La Liga and one Copa Del Rey under his tutelage, registering 47 assists and scoring 19 goals in 103 league appearances, as per Who Scored.
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Mourinho has showered praised on the former Schalke and Werder Bremen man in the past and previously stated he was the best number ten in world football.
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It was Mourinho who signed off his departure to Arsenal for £42.5 million four years back, and in a spell in English football that has brought plenty of criticism for Ozil and his performances, particularly in big games, he has won three FA Cups in four seasons.
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But contract negotiations have come to a standstill, with Arsenal offering the 28-year old £275,000-a-week and Ozil's representatives wanting £350,000. The Gunners are said to have "cooled" their interest in getting him to sign a new deal.
His displays this season have been extremely underwhelming and it now looks a given that he will be moving on. Ozil joining United for nothing would represent a big win for Mourinho over Wenger, and would see Ozil become the 14th top player to play for the 54-year old at multiple clubs.
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Arsenal would of course prefer not to sell to a direct rival for no transfer fee but with only Inter Milan also interested, and the current situation, they may well have to.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Manchester United, Mesut Ozil, Arsenal