Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Mesut Ozil and Julian Draxler Rumours

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil won't sign for former team Real Madrid, with both the player and club reportedly not interested in striking a deal.

Sky Sports Spanish Football expert Guillem Balague (h/t Metro's Louis Sealey) revealed how both parties feel about any potential transfer: "Mesut Ozil is not keen to re-join Real Madrid, partly because Real don't want him either. They were happy to let him go for the price he went, and they are not looking for that type of player."

Ozil's future with the Gunners is in doubt, as he has just 18 months left on his current deal. The stylish schemer even seemed to indicate he may welcome a return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Speaking to Spanish publication Marca (h/t Jim Sheridan of the Sun), Ozil left the door ajar for a return to the club he left to join Arsenal in 2013: "Now I am happy at Arsenal, but you never know what can happen in the future. We will see."

The ongoing standoff over a new contract is continually prompting rumours Ozil will leave north London in the near future. In fact, Arsenal are reportedly open to selling the German if a deal can't be struck, according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph.

Manager Arsene Wenger has sought to quell these rumours, though. The Frenchman has even made it clear he expects both Ozil and fellow contract rebel, Alexis Sanchez, to stay for the remainder of their current deals, per the London Evening Standard's James Olley:

Wenger is right to want to keep Ozil around for as long as possible. The classy No. 11 has redefined his game to become a significant part of Arsenal's attacking capability.

In particular, Ozil has expanded his movement to make more direct runs beyond defences. He's popping up through the middle more often this season to supplement forwards such as Sanchez and Theo Walcott.

The result has been more prolific form from a player often criticised for appearing too languid. Ozil has found the net eight times already this season, according to WhoScored.com, matching his total from the entirety of last season.

Ozil also remains the Gunners' most efficient passer in the final third. His vision, touch and class help him routinely split defences with through passes to create excellent chances.

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Sanchez is Arsenal's main man, but club-record signing Ozil is still a significant part of a team perhaps better equipped to win the Premier League than any time in the last 10 years.

Julian Draxler's Wolfsburg Career in Doubt

If Wenger does need to replace Ozil or Sanchez, he won't find many better alternatives than Julian Draxler. The 23-year-old German international's career with Wolfsburg is in doubt after he was left out of the matchday squad to face Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, per German source Bild (h/t MailOnline's Anthony Hay).

Hay believes Draxler could leave during the January transfer window, after citing "negative behaviour" as a reason for the axe falling on the attacking midfielder. He also detailed how Wolfsburg are ready to move him on ahead of schedule:

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Draxler asked to leave Wolfsburg in the summer but was made to stay as the club wanted to hold onto their main man.

However the club appear to have lost patience with the former Schalke attacker and have placed a £30million price-tag on his head. 

His availability is likely to spark a winter window bidding war as Premier League clubs including Arsenal have previously been linked with the Germany international.

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Indeed, Wenger and the Gunners have reportedly been on Draxler's case for years. In fact, the then-Schalke 04 player talked up a move to Arsenal back in November 2013, per Metro's Jamie Sanderson.

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The Daily Mirror's John Cross reported a deal was close during the winter window in January 2014. Cross had previously indicated how Wenger saw Draxler as a player capable of converting to centre-forward.

The ability to operate through the middle, from the flanks or even as a No. 10 would make Draxler excellent insurance against one of Ozil or Sanchez leaving. Draxler is a genuine match-winner in his own right when at his best.

He's got strength, pace, close control and a terrific shot with either foot. This is a player who combines power and flair to give defenders nightmares.

The Gunners are already loaded with quick and efficient players up front. Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott, Lucas Perez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi have made Arsenal more threatening going forward.

Even with this many options, Wenger could find it too tempting to pass on the chance to sign a player he's coveted for years. Draxler has been making it clear he wants to leave Wolfsburg since the summer, according to Alec Shilton of the Sun: "I said in the summer the way I feel and I stand by that."

Arsenal can sustain challenges for major trophies this season but only by maintaining their quality in attack. It will mean keeping Ozil focused, while perhaps adding even more talent, with Draxler a better target than most.