Arsenal transfer news: will Mesut Ozil fit into Unai Emery’s master plan?

It’s Emery for the Emirates but could it be auf wiedersehen for Ozil?

According to The Sun, the manager-elect of Arsenal has scrutinised the underperforming squad and drawn conclusions that “will concern the club’s highest-paid player, Mesut Ozil”. It seems that having watched Ozil in action, Unai Emery has realised that the German midfielder never knowingly breaks into a sweat.

The former PSG coach, who is expected to be officially appointed in the coming days, has identified Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsey as the “two key players in his squad”, rather than Ozil, according to the newspaper. Emery is reportedly planning to rebuild the side around the pair in a bid to restore the club’s battered reputation.

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The Sun notes that the Spaniard’s plan marks a significant departure from that of Arsene Wenger, who persuaded Ozil to pen a new £350,000-a-week deal in January because, for reasons known only to the Frenchman, he saw him as the “talisman of the team”.

Emery clinched the managerial job with a brilliant presentation before chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat. The trio “were staggered by the forensic analysis of every player in Arsenal’s squad and his exact plans on how he would improve them”, the newspaper says.

With his place at the Emirates seemingly assured, Emery is now “battling with Chelsea and Everton for Hamburg starlet Josha Vagnoman”, the Daily Mirror reports.

The versatile youngster - comfortable on either the left or right side of the defence - is set to leave Hamburg following their relegation, and Emery hopes to convince him to sign for Arsenal, despite stiff competition from the two Premier League rivals, as well as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile, the Daily Express says, Emery “will try to make Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri his first signing”.

Familiar with the talented playmaker from his time coaching PSG, Emery wants Seri to strengthen his midfield next season. Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in the 26-year-old, who is expected to make Nice around £35m this summer.