Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez Rumours

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has fuelled speculation that he’s set for a sensational return to Real Madrid by labelling manager Zinedine Zidane his idol.

The German international touched down at Emirates Stadium in September 2013 for £42.4 million, but he’s been heavily linked with a return to the Bernabeu of late, as per Spanish outlet Marca (h/t Metro).

Most of these rumours have been branded tedious paper talk, but Ozil has added fuel to the fire by praising Real boss Zidane.

IKIMAGES/Getty Images

When asked by Matthew Syed of The Times to give his two cents on Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta, Ozil talked about how Zidane was the complete footballer—h/t Max Miller of Metro:

“Iniesta is a big player. I like how he is playing, but my real idol was Zidane. He was not selfish. He scored, but he also made assists. He was a leader.”

Ozil’s words come after he refused to rule out a move back to Real Madrid while talking to Marca (h/t Dermot Corrigan of ESPN.com) and speculation from around the press that there are disputes over his contract.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The 28-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2018, and although Arsenal are working on giving him a big pay rise to keep him at the club, nothing has been tied down, per Ben Burrows of The Daily Mirror.

Arsenal will look to get Ozil’s signature on the dotted line sooner rather than later to end the transfer speculation, but Real Madrid will be waiting in the wings to swoop for their former employee should an agreement not be reached.

Elsewhere, Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has revealed that his countryman James Rodriguez is far from happy with life at Real Madrid.

JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

Rodriguez has been forced to accept life on the Bernabeu bench since Zidane took charge, and Falcao suggested to El Partidazo (h/t Mark Brus of Metro) that his international teammate is struggling:

“When you do not play, you are not happy. It is normal for players—it has happened to me.”

Rodriguez isn’t expected to stay in Madrid for too long, and Metro’s report states that Premier League leaders Chelsea are sniffing around for his signature.

Real Madrid currently hold a six-point lead at the top of La Liga following their 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Saturday, and they’ll look to extend their advantage against Deportivo La Coruna next time out.