Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to accept the departure of German midfielder Mesut Ozil this summer - with a number of top European clubs showing a strong interest.
Ozil given a price tag
Ozil has less than one year remaining on his current contract at the Emirates which means he could leave the club on a free transfer next summer.- if a deal isn't agreed in the coming months. However, to avoid losing the German international on a free, Wenger, according to the Metro, has placed a price tag on Ozil of just £17.7m and given him the opportunity to discuss contracts with other clubs across Europe.
Ozil, along with his agent Dr Erkut Sogut, have already been in contact with Spanish giants Barcelona regarding a deal that could take him to the Camp Nou in January. However, Sogut issued a warning to the Catalonia side insisting that they should make an offer sooner rather than later after having already received interest from six other clubs.
The Turkish-born German has been linked with a number of clubs in the last few months but more recently has been targeted by his former club Schalke - the club he began his professional career with. Although with Barcelona keen on the transfer, it's unlikely Ozil will be able to turn down such a lucrative offer with a chance to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the 99,354 capacity Camp Nou.
Coutinho remains Barca's primary target
Barcelona considers Ozil their 'Plan B' with Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho their primary target - following several failed attempts to lure the Brazilian away from Anfield in the summer. Despite their undoubtedly tempting offers in the window just gone, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insisted firmly that Coutinho would not be for sale at any price and would remain as a Liverpool player for the foreseeable future.
It remains to be seen whether Klopp will get his wish and convince Coutinho to stay on Merseyside but if he does, the door of opportunity could open for Ozil and a move to La Liga top-flight could become a reality.
Wenger still unsure on Ozil's future
Arsenal, despite a poor start to the Premier League season, dominated Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby at the weekend with Ozil pulling the strings from the midfield.
Gunners' boss Wenger is 'convinced' that Ozil 'loves the club and the players' but remains unsure over the future of the Star Man.
It's obvious that Wenger would like to keep Ozil at the club with an incredible ability to create chances from the midfield and also his eye for goal as he moves forward to support his forwards. However, the Frenchman will find it difficult to persuade him to stay with striker Alexis Sanchez also in the headlines regarding a move away.
