Jose Mourinho wants to bring Mesut Ozil to Manchester United next summer as he bids to address the problematic No 10 position at Old Trafford.

The Arsenal and Germany playmaker is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season and reluctant to sign a new deal with the north London club in the belief that he needs a fresh challenge.

Mourinho refused to rule out a move for Ozil on Friday when quizzed over the prospect of reuniting with the player he signed as Real Madrid coach in 2010 and later described as “the best No 10 in the world”.

Asked specifically if he could sign Ozil as a free agent next summer ahead of United’s game against Arsenal on Saturday evening, Mourinho smiled before replying: “No comments.”

It is understood United would prefer to wait until the end of the season to make their move for Ozil rather than pay the £20-£25 million it would take to sign him in the winter transfer window.

But the situation could be brought to a head next month if other clubs opt to formalise their interest in the 29 year-old. Arsene Wenger has admitted it is “possible” Ozil could be sold in January, although the Arsenal manager’s preference would be to sell overseas rather than to a Premier League rival in the likely event he fails to convince the player to stay on.