Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger Closes in on Ozil from Real Madrid

As the transfer window draws to a close, Arsenal have made an offer to purchase Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. The bid is believed to be in the region of £40 million pounds. According to ESPN, the London club is confident of completing the transfer today.

With the arrival of Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu, Ozil may find his options to be limited. With Bale and fellow new signing Isco, who scored twice at the weekend, the German has become surplus to requirements. Ozil was left on the bench in Madrid's 3-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao on the weekend, increasing speculation that he may be on the verge of a transfer.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is willing to part with Ozil, prefers to keep Angel Di Maria at the club.

According to Daily Mail, Arsenal are willing to match the player's salary demands, which are £180,000 per week. The signing would also appease fans, who are growing increasingly frustrated with the club's lack of transfer activity this summer. Manager Arsene Wenger has signed two players in the off-season - Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre and Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan, both on free transfers.

The Gunners' pursuit of Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney has been fruitless, leaving fans craving a star signing. Ozil would certainly fit that mould and considering the kind of money being talked about is certain to be a key feature of the team.

Arsenal face competition for the player's signature, with Paris Saint-Germain also reported to be interested.

The only doubt regarding this transfer is Ozil's favoured position on the field, which is attacking midfield. With Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Thomas Rosicky all able to play the position, there are other areas of the squad that require greater attention. However, Ozil is versatile enough to play as a wide forward, as he has done on many occasions for Real Madrid.