Real Madrid Transfer News: Mesut Ozil Makes U-Turn Amid Arsenal Contract Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly set to be disappointed in their pursuit of former star Mesut Ozil with the German ready to sign a new contract at Arsenal.

Ozil is having one of the best seasons of his career in 2015-16, and his excellent performances have sparked rumours that Real are targeting him to replace the potentially outgoing James Rodriguez, who has fallen out with Rafael Benitez, per Spanish outlet Don Balon (via the Telegraph).

However, the 27-year-old playmaker is now reportedly eager to sign on to a new deal at the Emirates that will run until 2019, a distinct turnaround from the summer, per Daniel Cutts in the Sun:

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It is a stark U-turn from this summer where Arsenal felt the World Cup winner wanted to leave the club after an uninspiring first two seasons.

Ozil is believed to have indicated to his agent in around July that he wanted a move back abroad.

But the ex-Real Madrid ace has finally settled in at the North London club and has seemingly had a change of heart.

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Ozil joined the Gunners from Real in 2013 for £42.4 million after spending three seasons at Madrid, and while he showed flashes of brilliance in his first two campaigns, he was frustratingly inconsistent.

Season	Appearances (as substitute)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2015-16	15	1,294	2	13
2014-15	21(1)	1,860	4	5
2013-14	25(1)	2,150	5	9

That has all changed in 2015-16, though, as he has made the No. 10 position at Arsenal his own, providing 13 assists and scoring twice in 15 Premier League matches, per WhoScored.com.

According to a Sun source, his installation as Arsenal's front-line creator has been essential to his upturn in form:

"Mesut is finally being played in the No. 10 role on a consistent basis. This is clearly his preferred position and now Arsenal are reaping the rewards. He has been in scintillating form so far this season."

Per Cutts, Ozil is now eager to sign a new contract in north London worth around £160,000 a week.

This represents a distinct blow to Los Blancos' hopes of re-signing their former player, but it is hardly a surprise given that Ozil looks to be enjoying his football more than ever at the moment:

Equally, Ozil left the Bernabeu in unsavoury circumstances back in 2013, and it always seemed unlikely that he would want to return. 

Although Real Madrid likely have better prospects for Champions League glory—especially this season after the two clubs' respective last-16 draws, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe and Dean Jones—the Gunners could be on for the Premier League title this season:

The inconsistency of all the top clubs in the English top flight has handed Arsene Wenger's side their best chance in years of lifting the Premier League trophy.

Ozil's continued good form will be essential to achieving that goal, and he will likely only be spurred on further by signing on to an extended deal at the Emirates.