Mesut Ozil has told his Arsenal team-mates he'll sign for Manchester United

Mesut Ozil has told his Arsenal team-mates he'll sign for Manchester United

FWS - Ozil, 29, is ready to make the bombshell switch, and is confident that he will move to Old Trafford. The Germany midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and can leave for nothing then, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted publicly last week that they could end up selling him in January.

That has now opened the door to the possibility of Ozil defecting to one of their biggest rivals.

It remains to be seen, though, whether the Old Trafford giants will push through on a deal for the 2014 World Cup winner.

Ozil, who is increasingly out-of-favour at the Emirates after losing his place in the starting line-up, is making no secret that he is preparing to leave.

United boss Jose Mourinho has publicly admitted that he regards Ozil as the best No10 in the world.

The pair had a strong relationship from working together at Real Madrid, and there remains a deep respect despite Ozil’s mixed fortunes since his 2013 move to north London.

Snapping up one of Arsenal’s prize assets would also see Mourinho get the chance to put one over on bitter managerial rival Wenger.

Ozil’s representatives have been asking for £350,000-a-week to sign a new deal.

The Gunners offered £275,000-a-week last season but Mirror Sport understands their interest in keeping him has now cooled.

They are ready to sell him in January to make some money back, but the only club to have publicly declared their interest so far has been Italy's Inter Milan.

Wenger also admitted they could sell striker Alexis Sanchez in January as he too is set to be out of contract in the summer, and league leaders Manchester City are keen.

There has not been such demand for Ozil, especially as he has fallen out of favour this season.

His poor performance as a second-half substitute at Watford last Saturday is known to have annoyed others in the dressing room, and members of the coaching staff.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires claimed this week that Ozil has been annoyed by the club’s failure to build a squad to challenge for major trophies.

Horse-racing legend and Gunners fan Tony McCoy has joined the criticism, claiming the Germany international does not deserve to wear the shirt.(mirror)