Gunners contract rebel Mesut Ozil would prefer to make a switch to Manchester United over Barcelona, if Arsenal do not meet his pay demands, according to reports.
Arsenal are planning to launch a last-ditch attempt to convince contract rebel Mesut Ozil to stay at the North London club.
Ozil’s current contract expires next summer and it is understood that the Gunners will have to sell him in January or risk losing him for free.
Once the January transfer window opens, Ozil will have the option to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.
It is understood that Ozil is playing hardball with Wenger as his representatives are holding out for a bumper new contract.
But Wenger had revealed earlier this week negotiations with Mesut Ozil are on-going.
“Negotiations are always going on with everybody,” he said
“Our door is always open. For the rest, I can not tell you much more.”
And now the Gunners bosses have reportedly prepared a new contract offer for Ozil that will make him the highest paid player in Arsenal’s history – above Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.
According to reports, Arsenal are prepared to offer Ozil a whooping £275,000-per-week wage packet to convince him to stay at the North London club.
But the 29-year-old is holding out for a contract in the region of £300,000 a week.
Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez is also on the verge of parting ways with Arsenal in January with Man City in pole position to sign the former Barca player.
And that has made Wenger even more desperate to hold on to Ozil.
According to the Daily Mail, the German would favour a move to Old Trafford over the Nou Camp.
Ozil played under Mourinho during their time together at Real Madrid and the German revealed in his autobiography how his former manager had a played a huge role in boosting his confidence when he had started doubting his own abilities in Spain.
Ozil wrote in his autobiography that he thought himself to be a “a nobody” but laid bare in detail how Mourinho helped him to become one of the top players in Europe.
“Real Madrid isn’t too big a move for you,” Mourinho told Ozil. “Real Madrid is the only right move. Trust me. I’ll turn you into a regular player. And then all the doors will be open to you. You’ll be able to show the world what you’re capable of. And, believe me, that’s a huge amount.”