By DAN KARELL
It hasn’t been confirmed by either club, but all reports indicate that Mesut Özil will be a member of Arsenal by the end of the day.
Real Madrid have agreed a deal worth £42.4 million (€50m and $66m) for the German international, with his representatives working with Arsenal to finalize the transfer. Currently in Germany on international duty, Özil reportedly completed and passed his medical in Munich under the guidance of the Bayern Munich medical staff. Germany are set to face Austria in a World Cup qualifier on Friday in Munich.
Even though he announced he wanted to stay at Real Madrid late last week, Özil was made available by the Spanish club after they completed the world record signing of Gareth Bale. With reports of the £40+ million transfer fee and a contract worth potentially £150,000 per week, Özil’s signing would be a double record breaker for Arsenal in terms of transfer fees and wages.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have already acquired a new goalkeeper, Emiliano Viviano, on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Palermo in Serie B.
Here are some more transfer stories to get you updated on transfer deadline day:
MAN UNITED NEARING MOVE FOR HERRERA
Just like Arsenal, with just hours remaining in the transfer window, Manchester United finally seem willing to spend the big bucks to acquire new players.
Man United have reportedly activated the €36 million buyout clause for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera and could sign a four to five-year contract with the English club by the end of today. The central midfielder helped Bilbao to the Europa League title match in 2012, which they lost to Atletico Madrid, as well as the Copa Del Rey final in the same year.
After learning that they were out of the running for Özil, Man United made a €30 million bid on Sunday that was rejected. Due to legal issues, the new bid, even though it’s enough to activate the buyout clause, will likely have to be paid by Herrera himself to release himself from his current contract.
FELLAINI AND BAINES BIDS GO TO FINAL HOUR
The drawn-out transfer sagas of Everton duo Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines will come to an end by Monday evening.
The Belgium Football Federation’s official Twitter account tweeted out that Fellaini had been let out of training in preparation with his country’s match against Scotland on Friday, with rumors that he’s working out a deal with Manchester United as the reason for the decision.
Meanwhile, the latest news is that Everton has continued to reject David Moyes’ offers for Fellaini and Baines, with the most recent one totaling at £40 million, according to reports in England.
If Everton does lose Fellaini and Baines, new manager Roberto Martinez has a contingency plan in place, and earlier today Martinez was reportedly in London at a work permit hearing for FC Porto’s Brazilian midfielder Fernando. Martinez could also swoop for his former player James McCarthy at Wigan.
LUKAKU TO EVERTON?
Although it looks like Chelsea won’t be acquiring anyone on this transfer deadline day, there could be a number of players on their way out in loan or permanent deals.
With Arsenal locked in a battle with Chelsea in a season-long loan for Demba Ba (with reports that Tottenham has made an inquiry as well), according to Sky Sports News in England, Everton are in to land a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, scoring 17 goals in 35 Premier League games, but so far this season he hasn’t started in the league for Jose Mourinho. In addition, the 20-year-old Belgian international missed the final penalty kick at the UEFA Super Cup, giving the cup title to Bayern Munich.
QUICK KICKS
Ajax have signed Heracles Almelo midfielder Lerin Duarte, a Dutch Under-21 player of Cape Verde descent, to a contract through June 2017 for a reported €2.5 million. (REPORT)
Aston Villa have completed a reported £5 million deal for Lazio forward Libor Kozak. The Czech Republic international has signed a four-year contract at Villa Park. (REPORT)
Crystal Palace have signed Jamaican international Adrian Mariappa on a three-year contract from Reading. (REPORT)
Hellas Verona have signed Argentina U-20 forward Juan Manuel Iturbe from FC Porto. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? How do you see Özil playing for Arsenal? Do you see Man United completing the Herrera deal in time? Do you see Fellaini and Baines leaving Everton? Do you see Lukaku leaving Chelsea on loan?
Share your thoughts below.