Mesut Ozil has been strongly linked with a free transfer to Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Mesut Ozil has been strongly linked with a free transfer to Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Rio Ferdinand believes Jose Mourinho would be crazy to turn down the chance of signing Mesut Ozil on a free in the summer.

The Germany international is set to enter the last six months his current contract and looks unlikely to extend his stay in north London beyond the end of the current season.

Ozil has been strongly linked with a potential move to Old Trafford with Barcelona also said to have identified him as a potential cheaper alternative to their primary target Philippe Coutinho.

The 29-year-old has been in sensational form over the course of the last few weeks and will be looking to put a dent in Manchester United’s Premier League title hopes when Jose Mourinho’s side take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday evening.

Jose Mourinho managed Mesut Ozil during their time together at Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Regardless of how he performs against the Red Devils, Ferdinand believes a move to Arsenal’s fierce rivals and a reunion with Mourinho, who managed him at Real Madrid, represents the logical next step for Ozil.

‘Since he signed for Arsenal and moved to the Premier League he’s got the most assists and created the most chances out of every player, Ferdinad told BT Sport. ‘That tells you what calibre of player he is.

‘I played against him when he was at Real Madrid and he’s a different player to what he was then.

‘He’s deceptively quick and if you can get that extra [bit of work rate] out of him I’d take him on a free transfer all day long.

‘Jose Mourinho will get that out of him.’

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