Reports: Chelsea join Man United and Barcelona in battle to sign £50m rated Premier League star

What's the story?

Arsenal currently face the possibility of losing three midfield players in the next few months with Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere all out of contract in 2018. Furthermore, it seems like Ozil and Sanchez are entirely unwilling to sign contract extensions, meaning that Arsenal will be forced to pick between selling them in January or letting them leave for free in the summer.

Fortunately for Arsenal, there is no shortage of suitors willing to take on the contract rebels, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain showing an interest in Sanchez. Ozil is also in high demand, with Barcelona and Manchester United both in the running, and according to reports from the Express, Chelsea have also thrown their hat in the ring for the German playmaker.

In case you didn't know...

Mesut Ozil has been on the radar of Manchester United for a while, with the German midfielder telling colleagues that he intended on joining the Red Devils. Ozil played under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, and the pair have expressed their admiration for each other on multiple occasions.

Barcelona have also expressed an interest in Ozil and the Catalans are nearing a deal for the midfielder. Ozil is viewed as a cut-price alternative for the likes of Philippe Coutinho, who Liverpool are determined to hold on to.

The heart of the matter

Chelsea's start to the season has been far from smooth and the club has been criticized for a lack of depth. They currently sit in third place in the Premier League, a full 11 points behind league-leaders Manchester City. Conte will need his team to go on an impressive run if they have any chance of winning the title and Ozil could provide him options that he currently lacks.

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Author's Take

Ozil seems unlikely to sign a contract extension, and Arsene Wenger will have to decide whether he the risk of him leaving for free in the summer is worth it. Arsenal will have several options should they choose to sell Ozil, and a London rival may not be high on their list of preferences. Ozil himself may choose to go to Barcelona, who currently look like favourites to win La Liga.