Manchester United Enter Pursuit for €45m German Playmaker – Report

Manchester United are entering the race for Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil as the side look to purchase a playmaker before deadline day, claim reports in Spain.

United are yet to sign any senior players this summer under incoming manager David Moyes though they have made it clear through a number of failed bids that they are hoping to build on their midfield area in the current transfer window.

Madrid are currently locked in tense negotiations over the purchase of Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale and should the Spanish giants get their prized possession they would likely smash the world transfer record and look to offload some unwanted talent.

And while this morning publications were claiming that Arsenal are interested in Ozil, AS believe that the German international, who has travelled with Madrid to face Granada, is keeping in mind that he could be a United player before next week.

With Bale close to making a huge move to the Spanish capital, reports have circulated that Madrid's top players are currently unhappy that the Spurs star will become the side's golden boy for the season ahead.

Ozil has pushed for a salary increase but so far Madrid have rebuffed his efforts to improve his contract. Should he make the move to United he would need to receive around €7m per year after tax, making him their highest paid player.

The Red Devils are reluctant to make such a move but are considering being more creative with Ozil's contract and allowing him an option of a loyalty payment to make up for the difference between his pay at Madrid and United.

But the Spanish paper also reports that Madrid won't accept less than around €45m for the man who scored 15 goals for club and country last season and will no doubt continue to get better as he looks ahead to play a big part in Germany's 2014 World Cup campaign.