- Manchester United look the favourites to sign Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil
- The Gunners star is leaning towards a reunion with Jose Mourinho over Barcelona
- Ozil is still in talks over a new Arsenal contract but time is running out for the north Londoners
- READ MORE: Swap deal: Manchester United to lose key £26m star to land £40m Serie A talent
Manchester United have been given the edge over Barcelona in the transfer pursuit of Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil because he’s keen to work under Jose Mourinho again.
The Portuguese tactician seemed to get the best out of the German playmaker during their time together at Real Madrid, before both left the club in the summer of 2013.
Mourinho moved to take over at Chelsea that summer, while Ozil ended up being signed by Arsenal, though his contract is now coming to an end next summer.
There has been much speculation over the 29-year-old’s future, with Sport yesterday suggesting Barcelona was his preferred destination after talks with the Catalan giants.
This contradicts previous claims by the Daily Mirror that Ozil was already telling those close to him that he expected to join United, and the latest update from the Daily Mail says that is still the case.
MORE: Manchester United transfer news
There had even been talk from German outlet Sport Bild (translated by Sport Witness) that Ozil was emerging as a target for Chelsea, so United could be seeing off two big rivals for the playmaker’s signature.
Despite plenty of criticism from Arsenal fans, rival supporters and pundits alike down the years, Ozil has proven himself to be a world class performer when he’s at his best.
Legitimate questions can be raised over his work rate and consistency, but United fans may feel that Mourinho is the man to get him back to the level he showed during his time in Madrid.
This may be why the Mail now claim Ozil is so keen to work under the Red Devils boss again, putting them ahead of any other suitors in his mind.