Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil would jump at the chance to return to his former club Real Madrid, according to a report in German publication Bild.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is hopeful both World Cup winner Ozil and his chief playmaker Alexis Sanchez will commit to new deals with his club imminently, after advisers for both were approached to consider new offers from the north London club.

Yet the report in Bild states that Ozil is determined to wait and consider his options before committing to a new deal will alarm Arsenal fans, with the respected German publication not known for its speculative stories.

This has sparked suggestions that the article was carefully placed by sources close to the player, with the claims that Ozil feels he has unfinished business at Real Madrid complimented by comments that he was not content to stay at Arsenal if they were not likely to be serious contenders to win the Premier League title.

This story comes after Ozil claimed he was expecting a strong challenge from the Premier League giants that came up short in the title race behind surprise champions Leicester, as he backed Manchester City to make their mark after their captures of his German international team-mates Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane.

“Manchester United and Manchester City are among the biggest clubs in England and will be very strong in the coming season,” Ozil was quoted by German outlet Spox.

“I am particularly pleased at City, where two of my team-mates from the German team, Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan, are playing. They both bring a great quality and the Premier League will be even better for it.

“All the clubs have invested heavily, not only on world-class players, but also on world-class coaches who have been brought into the league.

“All teams have improved and I am looking forward to measuring myself against the best players in the world and being able to prove myself against them.”

Ozil’s comments have been viewed by some as evidence that he is frustrated by Arsenal’s lack of transfer activity, with Granit Xhaka the key arrival for the Gunners so far after another summer that has seen Wenger linked with moves for a host of high profile strikers.

Gonzalo Higuain was rumoured to be an Arsenal target before he sealed a €93.4m move to Juventus, while Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette continue to be linked with the Gunners.

They are also in the midst of an early season defensive crisis, with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel both out for extended periods as Wenger looks to piece together a team ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.

Online Editors