B/R Gossip Roundup: Mesut Ozil Not Bayern Bound, Arsene Wenger Going Nowhere

The football rumour mill is still churning out stories and speculation as we count down toward the January transfer window.

Petr Cech, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira are among the names linked with possible moves after New Year's Day.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has also been linked with a potential switch of clubs, while Liverpool are considering a controversial move to fund the redevelopment of Anfield.

Let's take a closer look at the week's headlines.

Mesut Ozil's Stock May Rise, but Bayern Won't Be Tempted by Player

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

There are occasions when players enhance their value to their team when they are not actually in the side.

Fan A: "Another poor display again."

Fan B: "Yes, John Smith was our best player."

Fan A: "John Smith didn’t play, he’s been injured for the last six weeks."

Fan B: "Exactly my point."

The above scenario is played out fairly regularly at grounds around the country when teams are on a bad run of form.

It does not yet ring true in the case of Mesut Ozil, as Arsenal have only played one game since it was confirmed he faces around three months out with a knee injury.

But it appears his star is already on the rise. According to Rob Shepherd of the Mail, Bayern Munich are in the hunt for the midfielder.

In his piece, Shephard wrote:

"

Mesut Ozil wants to quit Arsenal as soon as January and the Gunners are ready to do business.

Bayern Munich are lining up a bid of around £30 million for Ozil, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid last summer for a club record £42.5 million.

"

Aside from a starring display in the win over Aston Villa, when he was deployed in his favoured No. 10 role, Ozil has been a source of frustration and disappointment for the Gunners this term.

So the question is, why do Bayern want him? It’s not for him to bolster their push for glory in the Champions League, as he is cup tied in Europe’s premier club competition having already played for Arsenal in the tournament this season.

Also, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola has a raft of options to provide the ammunition for Robert Lewandowski at his disposal.

In Mario Gotze, Bayern have one of the game’s premier No. 10s, so even if Ozil moved to the Bundesliga, there is every chance he would once again be played out of position.

Ozil will also almost certainly to be short of match sharpness when the transfer window opens in January.

Believability Meter: Low

It could transpire that Ozil’s stock rises during the weeks he is on the sidelines, but it seems unlikely that Bayern will make a move for him in January.

Liverpool Right to Explore Anfield Stand Naming Rights

Clint Hughes/Associated Press

The subject of stadium naming rights is always a thorny issue, especially for traditional supporters.

Witness the outcry when Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley announced that the naming right to the club's famous St James' Park was up for grabs to the highest bidder in 2011, as BBC Sport reported.

The long-standing city-centre stadium became the Sports Direct Arena to "showcase the sponsorship opportunity", but few fans ever used the name of Ashley's sportswear company in reference to the ground before it reverted back to its original name in October 2012.

So when Liverpool revealed they were considering selling the naming rights for the new main stand at Anfield, as James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reported, there would have been fears among some supporters that tradition and history were being overlooked.

Liverpool chief commercial officer Billy Hogan revealed the plans in the interview with Pearce:

"

The new Main Stand is going to be a big focus for all of us. The process is still ongoing. We’re getting closer to certainty but we’re not there yet.

When that certainty arrives from a commercial standpoint we’ll be ready to get to work on that.

We wouldn’t consider selling naming rights for the stadium as a whole, but in terms of the name of the Main Stand, that’s something we will look at.

We’ll be looking to bring in a number of new partners. A naming partnership for the stand would make sense.

"

With Liverpool poised to redevelop Anfield at a cost of around £75 million, according to the Echo article, the possibility of naming rights on one stand are a viable proposition for the Reds hierarchy.

Money generated from the branding of one side of the stadium could offset any potential "hit" on transfer budgets for manager Brendan Rodgers, while the ground retains the Anfield name, which is world renowned.

The Fenway Sports Group is a shrewd business operator and recognises the importance of the history of the clubs it owns.

FSG will not allow Anfield to lose its name, but the possibility of gaining revenue from selling the naming rights to one stand deserves its consideration.

Believability Meter: High

Naming rights have become a controversial issue within English football, but there is little chance that FSG are going to risk upsetting a fanbase that stands at a reported 580 million worldwide, according to the Liverpool Echo article, by selling the club's soul.

This is a proposition that deserves exploration across the board at Liverpool.

Manchester United and Ron Vlaar Must Consider Next Moves Carefully

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

In among all the stellar names being linked with Manchester United since Louis van Gaal succeeded David Moyes, there has been one crop up frequently that does not possess the same glamour as Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao et al.

However, the name of Ron Vlaar has been a regular fixture in the gossip columns, and Dave Armitage of the Daily Star renewed the link between the Netherlands international and United this week.

According to Armitage, the 29-year-old is a wanted man across the Premier League, citing Tottenham, Everton and Southampton as potential suitors, as well as United.

The report claims Villa manager Paul Lambert will ask the club's hierarchy to "pull out all the stops" to prevent the defender leaving in January with his contract due to expire next summer.

Armitage claims a £4 million bid for Vlaar would be enough for United to fend off the challenges of other interested parties.

There can be no doubt that Van Gaal knows the Dutchman well after working with him at international level and at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Vlaar is in a strong position for negotiating a new contract at Villa. His form has been excellent for the club since joining from Feyenoord in July 2012, and he is a popular figure with the supporters.

WhoScored.com rate Vlaar as a strong tackler, and Van Gaal will recognise that his defence needs restructuring, despite the spell of success his team enjoyed before the international break.

However, Vlaar would need to convince United supporters of his worth—the fanbase has become accustomed to big-name arrivals in recent months.

There is no other option than hitting the ground running at Old Trafford, as Marouane Fellaini found to his cost last season.

While Villa will be keen to extend his stay, Vlaar should also be wary of his next career choice.

Believability Meter: Medium

This is a rumour that has been floating around for some time, and with Vlaar's Villa deal set to expire next summer, there is every chance it will remain in the gossip columns.

But if Van Gaal is considering a move for the Dutchman, Vlaar must also weigh up his options carefully ahead of what is likely to be his final big deal.

Real Madrid Do Not Need Chelsea Goalkeeper Petr Cech

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has handled his goalkeeping situation with some diplomacy so far this season.

Questions over Bernabeu legend Iker Casillas have become commonplace in every press conference this term.

Ancelotti has continually batted away the interrogation, with the Italian occasionally snapping, as J.I. Garcia-Ochoa of Marca reported him saying last month:

"

Casillas has experience and character. He knows what's what and will have no problem sorting things out.

As far as I'm concerned, the matter is closed. I want to be clear: there is no goalkeeper debate within the squad, and I'm not going to add fuel to the [media] discussion.

I'm not going to talk about the keepers this season.

"

However, Ancelotti's resolve is being tested again after Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reported a link between Real and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Czech Republic international has fallen behind Thibaut Courtois in the goalkeeping pecking order under Jose Mourinho this season.

It is understandable that Cech, at 32, wants first-team football, but is that likely at Real Madrid?

Ancelotti already has summer signing Keylor Navas waiting in reserve to Casillas, and the ousted Chelsea No. 1 would surely only play second fiddle to the Costa Rica international if he moved to Spain.

The Real Madrid manager, of course, knows Cech well from his time as Stamford Bridge manager, but he is unlikely to want a third goalkeeper to challenge Casillas and Navas for the starting spot.

Believability Meter: Low

Cech needs to find a regular first-team spot once more after being, some would say, harshly ousted by Courtois, but the link with Real Madrid does not seem to fit either the Czech or the Spanish giants.

Arsene Wenger Going Nowhere

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

The prospect of Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal for another club was a common subject of newspaper gossip not so long ago.

And the issue cropped up again on Thursday, when Sam Cunningham of the Daily Mail claimed Monaco were interested in bringing the Frenchman back to the club where he made his name as a manager.

At Monaco, Wenger won the French title in his first season and the 1991 French Cup before moving to Japan with Grampus Eight, the team he joined Arsenal from in 1996.

According to Cunningham, Monaco officials spoke with Wenger two months ago while in the English capital for the Emirates Cup and had considered offering him a position at the club before he signed a new contract with the Gunners after the FA Cup final win over Hull City in May.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev is quoted as saying:

"

For Monaco he is part of our history, part of our heritage.

He is doing an amazing job. I don't know if one day he will want to come back, but we keep a very good relationship.

Last time we exchanged was during the Emirates Cup. He keeps a strong affection for Monaco.

"

That new summer contract, though, will be the reason Monaco can forget about landing Wenger—for the time being at least.

The Arsenal manager penned a new three-year deal that will ties him to the club until he is 67.

Another article on Thursday morning further underlined the futility of Monaco's hopes of landing Wenger in the near future.

Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph claimed Wenger will have a £20 million war chest to bolster his squad in January.

That in itself will is just one reason why Wenger will not be leaving Arsenal any time soon.

Believability Meter: Low

There is every reason for Monaco to believe Wenger will one day return to their dugout, but that time will not be in the near future.

The Gunners boss will still feel he has a point to prove as he attempts to build on last season's FA Cup success.

Lucas Silva Has Potential for Real Madrid, but Is He Ready Now?

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Real Madrid are gearing up for the departure of midfielder Sami Khedira with a move for a Brazilian starlet, according to one report this week.

Carlos Carpio of Marca claims Lucas Silva of Cruzeiro is a target for the Bernabeu club as Khedira's contract approaches its expiry date.

The 21-year-old is being considered as a potential replacement for the Germany international, according to the article.

The Brazil under-21 international is widely expected to earn a senior cap under Dunga in the near future after impressing with his club in the homeland.

And J .I. Garcia-Ochoa of Marca subsequently quoted the player as saying:

"

When a club like Real Madrid want you, it always makes you feel proud and happy.

I know that I have to be focused here at Cruzeiro, that's my club, but interest from Real Madrid inspires me to keep working hard.

Of course I'd like to play for Real Madrid, it would be an honour. But for that to happen, an agreement between the clubs would need to be put in place first.

I'm a Cruzeiro player and have so much respect for my club. If a club like Real Madrid came along, I wouldn't turn them down.

"

In the same interview, Lucas describes himself as an attacking midfielder, putting him at odds with Khedira's more defensive role.

But at a tender age, the youngster is still a malleable proposition for Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid if the club pursue him. It will be Lucas' creativity that will make him a valuable capture for Los Blancos in the future.

Lucas' ability as a box-to-box midfielder will also ensure he becomes an enticing prospect for the Liga giants.

However, the player is still limited in terms of experience at the highest level, with no senior Brazil appearances to his name and less than 50 games for Cruzeiro.

Lucas fits the bill for Real Madrid, but his inexperience must be taken into account before any expectations are made.

Believability Meter: Medium

The fact that Lucas has voiced his interest in Real Madrid should be enough to give this story credence, even if it was from the same newspaper that noted the original link.

The Brazilian has the look of a young Xabi Alonso on the field, although some might point out Casemiro, who is on loan from Real to FC Porto, would be a better replacement for Khedira.

However, this is a move that deserves serious consideration from the Bernabeu club.

Chelsea Interested in Sami Khedira?

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Chelsea are prepared to offer Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira a contract in January in order to ward off interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, according to the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson.

Khedira, 27, previously played under Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. The Germany international was linked to Arsenal in the summer, though no deal materialised.

Signing Khedira would seem to make little sense for Chelsea, a team that already has plenty of top-quality players in the German's position.

As B/R Chelsea correspondent Garry Hayes has written:

"

Looking at Chelsea's team, where would Khedira fit in?

The partnership of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas in the pivot is among the best in European football right now.

It's difficult to see Khedira replacing either player, just as it is to consider him moving to west London for a similar role to the one he has on the bench at the Bernabeu right now.

...

Throwing Khedira into the mix creates the problem of having too much quality for one position, and more often than not, it's a recipe for disaster, leading to more problems than it solves.

"

Believability Meter: Low

Chelsea have been known to stockpile talent, and Mourinho might decide he wants Khedira anyway, even if it's just to stop Arsenal signing him. But at this point, the rumour doesn't seem to make much sense.