Arsenal ‘very, very close’ to Mesut Ozil breakthrough as Manchester United look set to miss out

Arsenal are said to be ‘very, very close’ to reaching a breakthrough in Mesut Ozil‘s contract talks, despite having previously given up hope of keeping him at the Emirates, reports claim.

The German World Cup winner’s current deal expires at the end of the season, with Manchester United among the suitors ready to lure him away from north London.

Arsenal had all but accepted he would be leaving the club, but there is now renewed hope he will sign a three-year deal before the end of this month, according to The Sun.

The 29-year-old wants a huge hike in his £140,000-a-week wages along with a mighty signing-on bonus but is believed to be open to staying.

However, if a deal is not struck, Arsenal will look to offload him in January. Gunners officials are keen to cut their losses and sell him for roughly £15-20million.

While Manchester United are thought to be keen to sign the former Real Madrid man, Arsenal would prefer to sell him abroad rather than a Premier League rival.

But Arsene Wenger’s unwillingness to lose him for nothing could well forge a deal for Jose Mourinho’s side, should no one else move for him.

The French tactician will remain even more hopeful that any such exit talk is irrelevant and that Arsenal agree terms with Ozil in the coming weeks.