Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez Open To Leaving Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil has admitted that he would consider a return to his former Bundesliga club, Schalke.

‘Schalke is my absolute favourite club, I’m still a big fan,’ Ozil told Funke Media Group, as reported by Metro.

After all, I grew up with Schalke. In terms of potential, Schalke is the number three for me in Germany after Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

‘They have wonderful fans and a great stadium. It is a pity that they are stuck in mediocrity. This fantastic club deserves more,’ Ozil added.

Arsenal face a battle this summer to keep hold of some of their biggest names, with Ozil and his fellow attacking star Alexis Sanchez in the thick of discussion.

Both stars are believed to have been offered contracts worth in the region of £300,000-a-week, but neither are yet to confirm where their future lies.

Olivier Giroud has on the other hand issued a play-me-or-sell-me warning to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ahead of the summer transfer window.

The France international played a peripheral role for the final weeks of the season as Wenger switched between Giroud and Danny Welbeck.

Marseille, who are also keen on Laurent Koscielny, are monitoring Giroud’s situation ahead of a possible summer swoop.

And the 30-year-old insists he will not accept a bit-part role next season.

‘Wenger is counting on me even though he hasn’t used me much,’ he said.

‘I won’t settle for such limited playing time.’

Meanwhile, Arsenal have confirmed the signing of left-back Sead Kolasinac from Schalke on a free transfer.

Sources: Mail online