Mesut Ozil wants Jose Mourinho to rescue him from his Arsenal malaise, and has set his heart on joining Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of the season

Sportsmail understands Ozil has told friends that he believes Mourinho will make a move for him next summer.

Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in the coming months, Ozil will become a free agent ahead of next season after telling Arsenal he is not prepared to sign a new contract.

Mesut Ozil wants Jose Mourinho and Manchester United to save him from his Arsenal malaise

Ozil has set his heart on joining United when his contract expires at the end of the season

Sportsmail understands Ozil has told friends that he believes Mourinho will move for him

Arsenal will look to eliminate the prospect of losing Ozil to United for nothing next summer by finding a buyer for the Germany international when the transfer window re-opens in January.

There has been minimal interest in Ozil, but Arsenal are confident they can find a buyer for Ozil before his contract expires.

Inter Milan have made their interest in Ozil public, but with the player believing United are ready to swoop, the former Real Madrid star may resist any January move.

Ozil will be a free agent for next season after telling Arsenal he will not sign a new contract

Ozil played under Mourinho at Real Madrid and the German star remains a huge admirer

Ozil and Mourinho have a long-standing relationship having worked together at the Bernabeu, and while the pair didn’t always see eye-to-eye in Spain, Mourinho rates Ozil as one of the best creative midfielders on the planet.

Ozil, despite his undoubted talent, has failed to produce the sort of performances that saw Arsenal pay a then club record £42.5million for him in 2013.

Indeed, his role in Arsene Wenger’s plans is likely to decrease in the coming weeks amid concerns from within the club about Ozil’s motivation this season.

Arsene Wenger will not want to lose Ozil to his biggest managerial adversary, particularly if Mourinho manages to get the best out of the German.