Mesut Ozil has insisted that there is no truth in speculation he will move back to Real Madrid this summer but refused to rule out a return to the Spanish or German leagues in the future.
The Arsenal playmaker has once more seen his side’s bid for the Premier League title collapse in disappointing fashion, a run of just five top flight wins in 13 games since Christmas leaving the Gunners just eight games in which to overhaul an 11 point deficit to Leicester.
It has led to speculation that the likes of Ozil could be tempted to move on to a side more likely to challenge for success in the Champions League, though he slapped down a particular report suggesting he was unhappy with manager Arsene Wenger earlier this month.
And whilst a move to Real Madrid would allow Ozil to learn from the greatest number 10 of his generation, Zinedine Zidane, the German international is not interested in returning to the side who disposed of him to fund their pursuit of Gareth Bale in 2013.
“Zidane was an amazing player,” Ozil told Spox.com. “He did not just play football, but lived for the game. I got to know him after his active career as someone who is always willing to lend a hand.
“But that does not say anything about my future. I am only thinking about Arsenal. There is no truth in the speculation linking me with a return to Spain.”
However Ozil went on to suggest that he may one day change his mind over a potential Arsenal departure.
When asked about a return to Spain or Germany he said: “In football you can never say never.
“Currently, however, I focus exclusively on the current Premier League season, and then to the European Championship. What happens in the next or the next season, we will see.”
Wenger is expected to undertake a significant overhaul of his midfield in the summer transfer window, with Granit Xhaka among the shortlist of replacements for the departing trio of Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.
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The past two transfer windows have seen Wenger add just Petr Cech and Mohamed Elneny to his first team ranks and Ozil reiterated his plea for Arsenal to spend big in the coming window.
Ozil added: “Teams will only get stronger and Arsenal will have to strengthen as well.
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“This season has shown we struggle when we are missing a number of key players. We cannot allow this to happen again next season.”
