Arsenal 'want £30m from Manchester United for Mesut Ozil'

Arsenal have reportedly slapped a price tag of £30m on playmaker Mesut Ozil amid interest from Manchester United.

The 29-year-old is on course to leave the Emirates on a free at the end of the season after failing to agree terms on a new deal to remain, despite numerous rounds of talks.

The Germany international is thought to be seeking at least a two-fold increase on his current weekly wage of £140,000, which already makes him the top earner at the North London side.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has previously been steadfast in his insistence that Ozil's contract will be run down, but according to the Daily Star, the Frenchman has now "reluctantly" conceded that it would be more sensible to try to cash in on the player in the January transfer window.

The newspaper claims that the London side will seek "at least £30m" in a straight cash deal for Ozil, with United boss Jose Mourinho known to be a huge fan after their time together at Real Madrid.

Some hope remains that Ozil could still be convinced to sign a contract extension at Arsenal, however, with a report yesterday suggesting that handing him the number 10 shirt currently occupied by Jack Wilshere would be an incentive towards getting a deal done.