17 Aug 2013 14:48:37
Just scouring through a few newspapers and it is reported that Real Madrid have offered us Ozil for 40m. If this is true then we should snap him up as at 24 he is a world class talent and will only get better.

Also Coentrao has handed in a transfer request so maybe a 50m double bid (35m Ozil 15m Coentrao) could tempt Madrid to sell and we could then loan out Buttner to either Benfica or Besiktas.

Many people will question where does Ozil fit in when we have Rooney and Kagawa in the same position. There are a few scenarios possible.

1. We Keep Rooney

If this scenario occurs then we could play a 4-2-3-1 formation with 'inverted' wingers who play more centrally then conventional wingers. This would suit the signing of Coentrao and play to Rafaels strengths as both like to attack and would provide the width. Last season Ozil was played on the right hand side sometimes and we know Kagawa can play on the left which leaves Rooney to play in the hole and RVP up top. This attacking line up would be one to be feared and second to only Bayern in my opinion. However we would have to sign a defensive midfielder to sit alongside Carrick and I feel Kondogbia/Fellaini would be a good fit.

Signings needed for this scenario: (Ozil, Coentrao, Kondogbia/Fellaini) Spend = 60-80m

2. We sell Rooney

If this scenario occurs then there is a vacant slot in the number 10 role which would then be filled by Ozil/Kagawa however Ozil would be the preferred choice as they are both the same age however I feel Ozil is currently a much better player. We would play the 4-2-3-1 formation again with Kagawa left and Zaha right but could change and put Kagawa centrally, Ozil right and Nani left.

On the flip side we could play a 4-3-2-1 formation with 3 midfielders sitting behind Ozil and Kagawa allowing the two of them free movement.

Once again though an enforcer would need to be signed so the purchases would be the same as Scenario 1 but the net spend would only be 40-50 mil from the sale of Rooney.

3. Rooney goes and we adapt a 4-3-3 formation.

To begin with this will only be possible if we signed a mobile enforcer and would displace Carricks first team place which would be a questionable decision. Yaya Toure would be perfect for this to work but there's more chance of Leeds winning the premiership next year then that happening. Once again Fellaini would suit this role as he isn't the fastest but he isn't slow either. I haven't seen enough of Kondogbia to see if he would suit this role or not. Luiz Gustavo would have excelled in this role though. The enforcer sits in the middle of the park covering the back 4 and allows the two playmakers either side of him to push up and attack (Ozil/Carrick/Kagawa then in reserves Anderson/Cleverly). In an ideal situation we would also sign a winger for the attack preferably Lamela or Di Maria.

Signings Needed: Ozil, Fellaini, Lamela/Di Maria. Net Spend: 60m

All in all this depends as to whether these Ozil rumours are true which I would take with a pinch of salt but it makes a change from the Rooney debate.

On a side note, let's get behind Moyes and beat the Swans tonight!

1.) 17 Aug 2013
Ahhh that's certainly a lot of words there, think I predicted the ozil rumors a few weeks ago and look where we are now . simple fact is - we will sign no one this season and the quicker we realize this the better

2.) 17 Aug 2013
17 Aug 2013 15:38:03
Liking scenario 1 and especially with those signings. That would be an awesome attack and with the deeper CM's would be good defensively too. Those signings, along with the good youngsters coming thru, would settle my nerves and give us a great chance this season.

3.) 17 Aug 2013
Option 1 would be an absolutly leathal team that should storm majority of games, would love to see it

4.) 17 Aug 2013
I also like option one! I would be stunned if it happened though!