Davide Santon

While transfers between top clubs in England is rare, Arsenal and Manchester United have history, the most recent of which involving the swap between Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

With the likes of Juan Mata not getting any younger, Mesut Ozil could fit the role of number ten at Old Trafford. However, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having taken temporary charge, splashing the cash to acquire Ozil’s services may not be their top priority at present.

Furthermore, the slow, lethargic football played under Mourinho desperately cried out for pace and intensity, something Ozil’s explicitly lacks. 

Ozil announced himself on the world stage thanks to his performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup, resulting in Real Madrid signing the player from Werder Bremen that year.

He spent three assist-filled seasons at the Bernabau, before moving to Arsenal for £42.5m in 2013. During his time at Madrid, he stated that he would like to “end” his career at Real Madrid, a wish that could be granted as Real’s spending power knows no ends.

A return to Madrid could prove a great move for all parties involved, with many Real fans believing Ozil left too early, while the 30-year-old need not worry about acclimatising to a new club – should he go back for a second spell.

Italian giants Inter have been linked with Ozil in the past, and were one of a number of clubs that expressed an interest in the German prior to him signing his extension at Arsenal.

The Mirror reports that Emery has gone as far as to offer Ozil to I Nerazzurri, as he desperately looks to free up some funds for him to sign players this window, as opposed to the loans he stated are his only option in January.

As someone who accused his own national side of racism, before retiring from the German national team, Ozil might not be too enthused by Inter’s recent stadium ban for such abhorrent behaviour. However, he could certainly make an impression at the San Siro if he were to join the Italian giants. 

Of Turkish-origin, Ozil has previously stated he is in fact a Fenerbahce fan, and has been quoted as saying he would one day like to play in the Super Lig.

While his wage demands and the transfer fee required would likely be out of Fenerbahce’s reach, it would grant the player a move he’s wanted, as well as an escape from the Emirates stands, where he’s spent most of the season.

With teammate Aaron Ramsey all but certain to make the move to Turin in the summer, the same report from The Mirror claims that Emery has told the Juventus hierarchy that Ozil is up for grabs too.

Due to their similar traits and position on the pitch, Ozil and Ramsey often find themselves featuring for Arsenal at different times. However, with Juventus so dominant in Serie A, they are free to play more creative players at any given time, thus allowing for the two players to possibly thrive together. 

That said, there are plenty of other world class talents in that squad Ozil would need to overthrow first.

The one obvious weakness in the current Manchester City squad is the lack of dependable cover for Fernandinho, and Pep Guardiola is said to be searching for a short-term solution to that problem.

According to the Sun, City are interested in securing a six-month loan deal for Schalke midfielder Sebastian Rudy.

Guardiola is familiar with the German international after his time managing in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, and the player himself could be open to a loan deal – as long as a fee is involved.

Following the recent sale of Mousa Dembele to Guangzhou R&F F.C., Tottenham are eyeing up Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann as a potential replacement for the Belgian.

Gladbach have made it clear that they want to keep hold of Hofmann and the club’s sporting director previously announced that he would like to extend the 26-year-old’s contract, but Bild  are reporting that Tottenham have offered up to four times his current salary.

The report also suggests that negotiations have already begun between Tottenham and Hofmann.

Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has been tentatively linked with a move to Inter over the past few days and the Nerazzurri’s sporting director Giuseppe Marotta was in no mood to deny the rumours.

Speaking before Inter’s goalless draw against Sassuolo on Saturday, he told DAZN, as per Calciomercato: “Godin? I have to underline how Inter has a very strong appeal.

“Many players are looking for us and many agents knock at our door, which flatters us, because we represent a point of reference for many important players. We evaluate profiles of champions that we must not let go and Godin is one of them”

It’s no secret that Adrien Silva has fallen out of favour at Leicester, but he could get the opportunity to revive his career with a loan move to Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux this January.

According to L’Equipe, Leicester and Bordeaux have been in talks over the past week and, after Silva has agreed personal terms, it’s now up to under-fire manager Claude Puel to give the move the green light.

Leicester’s head of recruitment Eduardo Macia could also be joining Silva at Bordeaux after continuously being linked with the director of football position at the French club.

According to the Daily Mail, Watford have joined the race for 22-year-old centre back Kim Min-Jae, a South Korean international who is affectionately nicknamed ‘monster’.

The Hornets could face some stiff competition from Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan, but they are hoping that the lure of the Premier League will be enough to persuade him to move over to England.

Kim is currently on international duty at the Asian Cup, where he scored during South Korea’s 2-0 win over China in their final group match.