Inter Milan emerge as surprise contenders to lure German playmaker

Serie A giants Inter Milan have reportedly emerged as surprise contenders to lure midfielder Mesut Ozil from Arsenal amid his restricted gametime under manager Unai Emery during the ongoing campaign.

Ozil only penned a new long-term deal with the Gunners earlier in the year and he was thereafter expected to play a vital role for the Gunners despite the end of Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign with the club.

However, things have not as planned with him struggling for regular playing time under the new head coach and this has intensified speculation regarding his future with the north London side.

According to The Sun, the Nerazzurri are understood to be tracking the proceedings of the former Real Madrid man and they could offer him an escape route, should he be available in the transfer market.

Despite this, the Gunners seem to have no plans of parting ways with the attacker in the forthcoming transfer window and they may wait until the summer at the least to decide on his position with the club.

Ozil has generally been a regular feature for the Gunners in the Premier League but of late, Emery has brought up concerns over the German’s future after dropping him to the bench for the game against Bournemouth.

The attacker’s workrate and physical attributes were brought forward as the factors behind him being unused in the 2-1 win over the Cherries and he has since mixed the games against Vorskla and Tottenham Hotspur with a back spasm.

Nonetheless, he should return at some point during the festive schedule ahead, though his position in the starting lineup appears far from certain with Alex Iwobi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey ahead of him in the pecking order.

Arsenal are currently fourth in the standings with 30 points and they have the opportunity to at least maintain their position with a victory on the road to Manchester United. The Gunners are winless at Old Trafford in the Premier League since 2006.

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