Arsenal willing to sell contract rebel Ozil with Inter, Man United interested

Inter Milan president Erick Thohir may have indicated that he does not expect transfer target Mesut Ozil to leave Arsenal in January, but the Mirror reports that the Gunners “could be ready to cash in rather than lose him for free next summer.”

Ozil, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he is free to talk to overseas clubs from the start of January if he does not sign a new deal.

And with no indication that the Germany international will be putting pen to paper any time soon, Inter’s interest may persuade Arsenal to agree to a winter move.

Ozil is reported to want around £350,000 a week, with the Gunners having offered around £275,000, and the Mirror writes that, with the situation dragging, they “could be tempted by a big cash offer and Inter could move for him given any encouragement.”

If a switch to Milan fails to materialise, Ozil could yet be tempted to stay in the Premier League, with Manchester United reported to be among the clubs who might be interested.

But the Mirror states that “there has been no concrete interest or offers, and his options would appear to be limited for the value of contract he wants.”

The news that Barcelona have decided not move for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka could be a positive development for Manchester United, according to the Manchester Evening News.

It reports that Barcelona have decided Germany international Goretzka, also linked with Bayern Munich, is not quite ready for a move to the Camp Nou.

And with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho likely to be looking to freshen up his squad again in the summer, he “could be in the market for the young midfielder.”

But if Mourinho doesn’t go for Goretzka, another target could be Anderlecht’s Leander Dendoncker, who the Evening News writes impressed the manager in last season’s Europa League.

He wouldn’t come cheap, however, with the Belgian club reported to value him at up to £30 million.

– Antonio Conte’s lingering hopes of signing Giorgio Chiellini are about to be thwarted, with the Juventus defender poised to agree a contract extension, Calciomercato reports. It states the only issue remaining to be decided is whether the terms are for one or two years and that, although Conte remains keen to sign him, “there is no chance he will leave Juventus at the end of the season.”

– Steve Cotterill is the latest man in charge at Birmingham City, and the Birmingham Mail writes that Blues owners Trillion Trophy Asia have vowed to back him all the way in the transfer market. Cotterill succeeded Harry Redknapp at St Andrews and the Mail reports that, like Redknapp, he will be allowed to target the players he wants with the aim of building a side capable of winning promotion.