According to the Metro, Arsenal maestro Mesut Ozil is reportedly a target for Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg, who are ready to offer all of the money paid by the Gunners to Real Madrid for the club record move, and also switch their home and away shirts to lure the player in.

Ozil arrived from the Santiago Bernabeu in a record deadline day move to Arsenal for a fee of £42.5 million. His early days at the club were assured and the German international made quite an impression with his goals and assists for his team mates. However, with the turn of the year and increasing intensity of the calendar, to the dismay of the Gunners, Ozil’s form faded drastically, leaving Arsene Wenger in a tight spot. The manager’s most influential playmaker had suddenly lost the magic touch, and what happened after brought further distress. Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey both sustained injuries which kept them out for a considerable period of time, hurting Arsenal’s form overall.

It remains uncertain whether Arsenal would be ready to let their most prized asset leave after his first season at the club, but if Ozil does not perform up to the mark up until the end of the season, it may give the Arsenal chiefs something to think about if Zenit do make such a significant bid.