Mesut Ozil to DC United: The five players Mikel Arteta wants to replace Arsenal star
Arsenal: Arteta believes team have 'taken handbrake off'
Mesut Ozil could finally be about to leave Arsenal and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is already eyeing up replacements for the German. Ozil is reportedly in advanced talks with DC United regarding a move to the MLS side. It could bring to an end a seven-and-a-half-year stay at Arsenal for the former World Cup winner.
Ozil was left out of both the Premier League and Europa League squads by Arteta earlier this season, so his fate was inevitable.
The 32-year-old hasn’t played since before the first U.K. lockdown last March.
Up until the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe in the last three matches, Arsenal have missed a player of Ozil’s creativity.
And despite the form of Smith Rowe, the Gunners are still keen to recruit an attacking midfielder.
Express Sport looks at the players reported as transfer targets for Arteta this month.
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Isco
Real Madrid star Isco has started just three La Liga matches this season after falling out of favour under Zinedine Zidane.
The Spain star is linked with a six-month loan to the Emirates.
However, Real may not allow a January exit, with Sevilla also reportedly the preferred destination for the 28-year-old.
Julian Brandt
Brandt, like Isco, is out of favour at Borussia Dortmund.
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The Germany star hasn’t started a Bundesliga match since December 5 and hasn’t scored a league goal all season.
Reports say Brandt could be available for as little as £22.5million this month, with Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc refusing to rule out a move.
Emiliano Buendia
Norwich City star Buendia has put last season’s relegation behind him by bouncing back in the Championship this term.
The Argentine has seven goals and six assists to his name in 19 league appearances.
Norwich are desperate not to sell though and an asking price of around £40m has reportedly led to the Gunners offering the likes of Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock as part of a deal.
Houssem Aouar
Aouar was reportedly Arteta’s top target last summer before the club decided to spend £45m on Thomas Partey.
The Frenchman remains in the plans of Arteta in the future but a January deal looks highly unlikely at the moment.
Aouar has registered three goals and three assists in Ligue 1 so far this season.
Julian Draxler
It wouldn’t be a transfer window if Arsenal weren’t linked with Julian Draxler.
The German was a regular reported target of Arsene Wenger during his final few years in charge.
Draxler has made just five Ligue 1 starts this season, with it not yet known if new PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino sees the 27-year-old as part of his plans.
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