Mesut Ozil has not told his Arsenal team-mates he is ready to join Manchester United, The Sun reports.
In response to a Daily Mirror story the previous day suggesting the German was eyeing a move to Old Trafford, The Sun quote a ‘close friend’ of Ozil insisting that is not the case.
The source also says Ozil wants to stay at Arsenal and that reports he is looking to be made the highest-paid Premier League player are untrue.
The source says: “Mesut has not had any contract offer from Arsenal. There were talks about a modest pay rise last season but all those talks ended in March. There’s been nothing since then.
“He has not been offered £300,000 a week — in fact, he has no offers on the table from Arsenal or any other club.
“And he is not seeking to become the highest-paid player in the Premier League. That’s not his aim.”
Ozil’s contract expires at the end of the season and there has been much speculation about his future.
He previously played under United boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid and it was claimed that Ozil had told Arsenal players he was planning a move to Old Trafford.
“Mesut is adamant he has never spoken to any player about going to Manchester United,” The Sun’s source adds.
“He has no idea if United want him but he wants to stay at Arsenal. Look, he just bought a new house in London.
“Mesut had been renting but he decided to buy a house because he both expects and wants to stay.
“But he is angry that people are briefing against him and feels there seems to be some sort of campaign against him. His intention has always been to remain at Arsenal.”