Report: Arsenal hierarchy prepared to listen to offers for Shkodran Mustafi and Mesut Ozil

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Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi during the January transfer window, according to The Sun.

An alarming caveat will be that potential new boss Mikel Arteta won’t be backed during the mid-season window.

The report suggests that the main emphasis for January will be offloaded expensive flops such as Mustafi and Ozil.

It is believed that the hierarchy feels there is enough talent within the squad without spending more money in January.

Nicolas Pepe led a glut of new summer signings. Dani Ceballos, Kieran Tierney and David Luiz were also added to the ranks.

Ozil earns a staggering £350,000-a-week and Mustafi collects £90,000-a-week from the football club (Spotrac).

Both have flattered to deceive this season and it would significantly enhance the wage bill if both were offloaded.

Mustafi failed to make a single league appearance under Unai Emery during 2019/20, whilst Ozil was often left on the sidelines too.

It would appear that both have been guilty of one too many poor performances.

If the club does manage to succeed in offloading the German duo there is a good chance it will improve the harmony.

It would also allow two youngsters to complete for a place in the team, which could go a long way towards getting supporters back onside.

Blooding the youngsters

Given the current predicament, trusting youth is a no-brainer. The likes of Tyreece John-Jules, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are the future of the club.

The big problem will be finding suitors to take the surplus duo. Both players have their uses but both look to be a patch of their former selves.

Ozil’s huge salary makes him unattractive to lots of clubs, whilst Mustafi’s haphazard nature might put teams off.

Their time at the Gunners appears to be nearing an end and it could be a significant step in the future of Arsenal.