Real Madrid German maestro could be set for summer exit
In a surprising turn of events, Real Madrid may open up to offers for Mesut Ozil in the coming months as the Spanish giants seek to reduce the pressure on a crowded midfield.
The La Liga table-toppers currently have eleven first team midfielders on their books, with four away on loan and while Ozil has been performing decently, it appears that manager Jose Mourinho may offload the playmaker in July if his performances don’t improve soon.
The German international made a bright start to his Real career after moving to the Santiago Bernabeu from Werder Bremen last summer, scoring 10 goals and notching up 24 assists.
However, the midfielder has seen a drop in standards this campaign, resulting in his manager’s recent rallying of morale.
The 23 year-old is not the only player under threat of a 2012 exit however, as Esteban Granero, Kaka and compatriot Sami Khedira – who moved from Germany in the same window as his international teammate – have all been associated with moves away from the club.
Numerous clubs are known to have been interested in Ozil in 2010 before he opted for a move to Real.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are some of the English clubs who would undoubtedly revive their interest in the creative midfielder if Mourinho were to deem him unsuitable for his plans in the future.
At the time of his transfer, several Serie A clubs were also admiring the German star as well as Bayern Munich, who are already rumoured to be preparing a bid that would take the Turkish-German citizen back to his native Bundesliga.
Ozil has found himself fall down the pecking order at the Madrid side, competing with Xabi Alonso, Angel Di Maria and Lassana Diarra for a starting place, with even natural left-back Fabio Coentrao challenging for a midfield position.
Whatever the outcome, Club President Fiorentino Perez won’t part with his asset unless the right price is matched, which is thought to be around £20m at this early stage.
