‘Family members’ key to Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal future

Mesut Ozil has not ruled out a return to Germany after revealing his family want him to leave Arsenal.

The playmaker’s Gunners contract expires in 2019 and talks over a new deal at the club have stalled, prompted talk the Germany star could leave in the summer.

And now the 28-year-old, who has seen his form dip as the season has progressed has revealed that “many family members” want him to cut ties with the Gunners in the summer and “move closer to home”.

Speaking about a potential return to Germany, Ozil told Sportbild: “I don’t want to exclude that.

“Many family members – my mother especially – would welcome it if I were closer to home.

“I still have a year on my contract and I love… this club [Arsenal]. At the moment, everything is still open.”

Ozil has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, while Fenerbahce, Man Utd and Chelsea are reportedly tracking his situation.

Ozil has also claimed his “heart beats” for his former club Real Madrid, where he moved from to Arsenal for £42.5million in 2013.

And he believes that he has become a scapegoat this season for Arsenal’s troubles this term.

“When the team’s on a bad run, somebody needs to be singled out, sadly most of the time it’s me,” he told Sport Bild.

Ozil has scored 29 goals in 147 appearances for the Gunners, including five goals along with five assists in 22 Premier League appearances this season.