Arsenal reportedly want to loan out Mesut Ozil in January, no matter what the cost.
Ozil is Arsenal’s top earner, taking home £350,000 a week, though is not a regular starter under Unai Emery.
Ozil has started just one Premier League game this season and is unlikely to start as the Gunners head to Manchester United on Monday (8pm).
The German has been linked with a move away in recent months with DC United and Fenerbahce both rumoured to be interested.
And The Mirror claim that Arsenal want the 30-year-old gone and are even willing to subsidise his wages.
It’s claimed Arsenal would rather let him go out on loan and another club pay part of his wages than allow him to be a bit-part player.
Arsenal’s academy manager and former skipper Per Mertesacker recently spoke out as to why Ozil has not started many matches this season.
“I hope Mesut can get fit,” said Mertesacker. “Unai requires a certain fitness level.
“Unai is fair to everyone. You need to deliver a certain fitness level – then you are available to play.
“Unai tries to get through to him. He talks to him. He says: ‘You need to train to a certain level every day – I need you to be fit – otherwise you are not going to play.’
“That’s what I’ve seen. He puts him in the squad but then leaves him on the bench. If he trains to the level that’s required, he can play.
“Personally, I’m in favour of that. When Mesut is fit, he is one of our best players. He needs to be in there. We need to build the team around him and make him stronger.”
Arsenal have won three out of their six Premier League matches and came from behind to beat Aston Villa last week.
They will be hoping to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League for the first time since 2006.