Arsenal Transfer News: Mesut Ozil Reportedly Misses Real Madrid, Latest on Pedro

Mesut Ozil "didn't want" to leave Real Madrid, according to J.I. Garcia-Ochoa of Marca.

The Madrid-based paper suggests Ozil knows he made a mistake when exiting the Bernabeu, despite having little choice in the matter. There is "not a day that he does not regret having left Real Madrid," reported Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star, using the original source for inspiration.

Ozil's father is also said to have encouraged his son's exit, despite the player allegedly wishing otherwise. It must be noted the pair have suffered a strained relationship—Ozil Sr. claimed he was owed £500,000 after being replaced at Mesut's management company by the Arsenal player's brother, per Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph—perhaps amplifying the player's struggles.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Such reports come at a difficult time for Ozil, who was recently dealt another blow in his quest to regain fitness, per Sky Sports:

The German international sparked Arsenal to the top of the Premier League when he arrived in 2013, before suffering a noticeable lack of form.

Arsene Wenger has rarely deployed him in the No. 10 role this campaign—undoubtedly Ozil's best position—instead using him on the flank. This quells Ozil's excellent passing game and emphasises his lack of speed, incisive dribbling skill and defensive contribution.

He has scored once and provided two assists in eight matches across the domestic division and Champions League this campaign, per WhoScored.com. Not horrific numbers by any means, but Ozil's best performances have come when deployed through the centre.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Ozil "will return strong," however, as reported by The Telegraph. B/R UK's Sam Tighe suggested Wenger is to blame for the player's lack of form:

Ozil's terrific link-up play with Danny Welbeck during the September win over Aston Villa—in which he scored and assisted—further raises the question as to why Wenger doesn't mobilise him in the middle more often. We witnessed a similar scenario with Shinji Kagawa at United before the Japanese international returned to Borussia Dortmund in his preferred role.

Wenger might as well just pluck himself a traditional winger in January. Barcelona's Pedro continues to be linked, as reported by Anthony Chapman of the Express, but the winger insists he remains supported at the Camp Nou:

"The coach is giving me a lot of confidence and he speaks to me even though I'm not getting in the team," said Pedro, per the aforementioned report. "I know it's hard to play at Barcelona, so I will continue to give my all and do well."

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Such comments could be viewed as a subtle "come and get me" call to Europe's elite. It would make sense for Arsenal to try to snap Pedro up—he's an explosive player on his day—particularly as Lukas Podolski is currently linked with a move away, as reported by Wilson.

Spending in the region of £26 million, a fee outlined by Chapman, would be excessive. Wenger needs defensive reinforcements and a destructive midfielder above all, positions with which he cannot afford to compromise. Pedro's arrival could significantly eat into the Frenchman's budget without addressing key weaknesses in the squad.

Considering Wilson believes Wenger has a £20 million winter budget, such a transfer could also represent Arsenal's only January business if it does go ahead. On a more positive note, signing Pedro would allow Ozil to play centrally, potentially rejuvenating the German's career in the process.