Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Riechedly Bazoer and Mesut Ozil

Arsenal target Riechedly Bazoer is nearing a departure from Ajax, according to the Eredivisie club's head coach, Peter Bosz.

Per Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror, the Gunners are among a number of European sides who have been linked with the Dutch midfielder, along with Barcelona and Wolfsburg. 

Talking to Ajax's website, Bosz has now all but confirmed that Bazoer, 20, is set for the exit door at the club and will likely leave in January, via Flanagan:

"

Riechedly and I had a good conversation on Saturday afternoon. 

He reported that his transfer is in the final phase - and I also understand this from Marc [Overmars, director of football]. 

He has a view to a new club, which is why we gave him freedom from training to work with players who are focused on our next opponent. 

We shook hands and parted in a good way.

"

Bazoer could be an ideal replacement in the new year for Santi Cazorla, who is sidelined after undergoing surgery and may not return until March.

A central midfielder with huge potential, Bazoer earned his debut for the Netherlands national side at the end of last year.

As can be seen below, he has many attributes to his game and can contribute both defensively and in attack from the middle of the park:

He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and boasts excellent passing range, so he could be a perfect fit in manager Arsene Wenger's Gunners side.

According to Dutch football writer Elko Born, Wolfsburg looks to be the most likely destination for Bazoer:

But if Arsenal feel the need to add further strength to their engine room in the new year, they may move to snap up Bazoer ahead of other suitors.

Meanwhile, Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, and they would reportedly be able to offer him the kind of money the Gunners are currently not.

Per James Olley in the Evening Standard, Ozil, who only has 18 months left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, wants a new deal worth around £290,000 per week, but Arsenal are only willing to offer terms of £200,000 per week.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

According to Mike McGrath in the Sun, United would be able to offer the 28-year-old German "at least £300,000 a week if he agrees to make a controversial switch to [Jose] Mourinho’s side."

McGrath also added that Ozil worked under Mourinho previously at Real Madrid, a fact which could encourage the Germany international to move to Old Trafford.

Arsenal will be loath to let Ozil move anywhere, especially not to a Premier League rival.

However, if he has not penned a new deal by the summer, Arsenal may be forced into letting him go in a cut-price deal as they will not want to lose him for free when his contract runs down.

In such circumstances, United seemingly could be one of the main suitors for in-form Ozil.