Reds will have to table ‘unbelievable’ offer to secure Ozil
UNITED will have to come up with an ‘unbelievable’ offer to sign Mesut Ozil in January.
Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of selling the German international or Alexis Sanchez when the transfer window reopens even though Arsenal are set to lose both for nothing at the end of the season.
Wenger claims it will take something ‘unbelievable’ to convince him to cash-in on the out-of-contract pair.
Jose Mourinho is a confirmed admirer of Ozil, who he managed at Real Madrid.
The World Cup winner is also believed to be interested in a move to Old Trafford after refusing to sign a new deal at the Emirates.
The 29-year-old - who can talk to foreign clubs from the New Year knows he could command a substantial signing-on fee if he waits to move as a free agent.
But January also represents Arsenal’s last opportunity to make any money on one of their prize assets.
Wenger had previously claimed he would wait until December to make a decision on both Ozil and Sanchez - who is wanted by City - but now insists they are almost certain to stay until the end of the season.
Asked if they could leave when the transfer window reopens, the Arsenal manager said: “I rule it out. I do not think every day about that, but as long as they are here they have to give their best for the team and the club.
“In my head, they stay until the end of the season. That is the decision taken at the start of the season unless something unbelievable happens.
“Will they stay longer? That is impossible to answer today.”
Mourinho was left short of one player during the summer after failing to agree deals for Ivan Perisic or Gareth Bale.
The United manager believes he is still short in attack - a situation that has been exaccerbated by Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s failure to produce on a consistent basis.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s soonerthan-expected return from knee ligament injury has boosted Mourinho’s options, but the veteran Swede is not the long-term solution.
United are prepared to move for Bale in the summer if Real opt to cash-in on the Welsh international, but Ozil would offer the potential of a mid-season boost and a cut-price option.