Paper Talk: Arsenal put fallen star up for sale; McCormack’s Villa admission

Arsenal have put Mesut Ozil up for sale after running out of patience with him, while Manchester United are making plans to lure a German star, according to Tuesday’s newspapers.

 

ARSENAL MAKE PLANS TO SELL OZIL IN JANUARY

Arsenal have reportedly put Mesut Ozil up for sale ahead of the January transfer window opening, according to widespread reports on Tuesday.

The Germany playmaker has been phased out of the Gunners side, during which time the club has gone on a seven-match unbeaten run.

With Ozil’s contract due to expire next summer, the club are ready to cash in on him now as opposed see him walk away for nothing at the end of the season.

Arsenal had offered Ozil a new deal worth a reported £275,000-a-week over the summer, but the player rejected the offer and was said to be seeking a deal worth nearer £350,000 a week.

But the change in his fortunes at Arsenal means a January departure looks far more likely.

Inter Milan confirmed their liking for the player on Monday, but admit they are unlikely to be able to afford his wages.

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Ozil’s time at the club is up.

“You look at any world class player in the world we’ve seen over the last 15 or 20 years – you know one thing they do? They work hard,” Merson said.

“They’ve got the class, they’ve got the skill, they’ve got everything, but they work hard at the same time – that’s what makes them world class.

“Ozil doesn’t do that part of the game, and if you don’t do that you can’t play in this day and age.

“I’ve seen Zinedine Zidane and he worked hard. I played against David Beckham enough times at Man United and you couldn’t believe how hard he worked up and down the right wing – it was scary.

“These players worked hard for the team. The penny has got to drop with Ozil, you can’t just play when you’re on the ball.

“And to be fair to Arsene, he’s taken him out of the team and they’ve reaped the rewards in the end.”

AND THE REST

Manchester United could move for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka, with Barcelona not willing to bid for the 22-year-old (various)

EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in Middlesbrough’s 20-year-old England Under-21 centre-back Dael Fry

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette says he will try to persuade Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, 26, to join the Gunners next summer (Daily Telegraph)

Petr Cech claims Arsenal are targeting catching up with Man City and Man Utd after an impressive run of form (Daily Mirror)

Everton boss Ronald Koeman’s job is safe for now, but the board are aware of increasing fan unrest (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea fear £70m striker Alvaro Morata, 24, will miss at least a month with a hamstring strain (Daily Mail)

England boss Gareth Southgate will reiterate to Dele Alli the importance of discipline after the 21-year-old Tottenham midfielder was given a one-game ban for his gesture during the Three Lions’ win over Slovakia last month (Daily Mail)

Ross McCormack has admitted his time at Aston Villa was a disaster as he bids to salvage his career Down Under (Daily Mail)

Birmingham City are considering a £2m bid in January for Jonny Williams, with the Crystal Palace player currently on loan at Sunderland (Daily Express)

Huddersfield winger Tom Ince, 26, is in a financial dispute with Blackpoolover their refusal to pay him a six-figure fee when he joined Hull City (Daily Mail)