Ozil on his way out
Unai Emery is out to take an axe to his under-performing Arsenal squad - and Mesut Ozil is first in line for the chop, according to reports.
Playmaker Ozil was at his disinterested worst in last week’s Europa League final humiliation against Chelsea, strengthening Emery’s resolve to persuade Arsenal to sell the German this summer, says the Daily Mirror.
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The newspaper claims the Spanish boss will sit down with the Arsenal board this week to thrash out what he needs to bring back the glory days to the Emirates Stadium.
Emery’s priority is to get rid of Ozil, and the German’s £270,000-per-week salary, but he also wants to offload midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and defender Skhodran Mustafi in order to free up funds to bring in flesh blood.
But with Ozil said to be determined to see out the remaining years of his lucrative contract, Emery is expected to tell the board that they might have to “resort to buying out the remaining two years” of Ozil’s deal, the Mirror adds.
Meunier contact
As for which players Emery wants to bring on board, the Daily Mail reports that he is “determined” to beat Manchester United to the signing of Thomas Meunier.
The talented right-back is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain, and United are believed to have sounded out the French champions over the possibility of £22m move.
Emery, who knows the defender from his time coaching PSG, has also “contacted him personally in an effort to convince him to join the Gunners”, according to the newspaper.
It’s believed that Emery is ready to offer the 27-year-old Belgian a five-year contract in a bid to lure him to the Emirates.
Gunners after gloveman
There has also been contact between Arsenal and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andrei Radu. Football.London says that Emery sees the 22-year-old - currently on loan at Genoa from Inter Milan - as the man to fill the void left by Petr Cech.
The Romanian’s representative, Crescenzo Cecere, told FC Inter News that there has been an Arsenal enquiry and “it is a very interesting prospect since he is growing a lot, from all points of view”.
Argentine ace targeted
Arsenal “are plotting to raid South America” in a bid to replace Juventus-bound Aaron Ramsey, reports the Daily Star.
The paper says that Emery has drawn up a shopping list of potential buys from the continent, with Boca Juniors star Nahitan Nandez as his top target.
The 23-year-old has been blazing a trail in Argentina this year, and Leeds had hoped to sign him if they made the Premier League. But that dream died, leaving Arsenal circling the Uruguayan international, who is believed to like the idea of forming a midfield partnership with compatriot Lucas Torreira.
Boateng to snub Prem clubs
Bayern Munich have told Jerome Boateng that he can leave the club.
The German defender is linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, The Sun reports, but the former Manchester City star is not keen on a return to the Premier League.
Boateng, 30, would prefer a move to Juventus or PSG.
