According to reports from The Daily Star this morning, Chelsea are plotting a summer bid for Arsenal record-signing Mesut Ozil, who cost the club £42.2million in summer 2013.
The German international hasn’t hit the heights expected since arriving in north London from Real Madrid almost two years ago, despite going on to claim a respectable nine goals and 16 assists in 42 Premier League appearances. He’s also created 2.6 chances per match this term – the most of any player in the Gunners squad.
But Ozil’s grown frustrationed with accusations of laziness at the Emirates and Jose Mourinho knows the 26 year-old well, having spent three years together at the Bernabeu where the pair lifted a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey.
That was during arguably best form of the attacking midfielder’s career thus far, netting nine La Liga goals (his highest total for any domestic season) in Mourinho’s ultimate campaign with Los Blancos.
The Daily Star failed to quote a figure for good reason, however; it would take an enormous bid to convince Arsenal to sell their club record signing to a direct divisional rival.