Mesut Ozil was holding out for a move to Manchester United on deadline day, according to Spanish football expert Graham Hunter.
Reports suggested on Monday morning that Manchester United were interested in the German international, who eventually joined Arsenal in a club-record £42.5 million move.
Sources close to the Red Devils refuted that claim, but speaking on Sky Sports' Revista de La Liga, Hunter believes that with Ozil facing up to the fact that he was being forced out of Real Madrid following the arrival of Gareth Bale, the 24-year-old was desperately waiting for a call from Old Trafford that never came.
"He and his father were both dead set on going to Old Trafford, they felt Manchester United would come in," he said.
"They held on and held on, his father was sending frantic phone calls out from a hotel very near the Bernabeu, up to the point where Madrid though "we need this €50 million to offset the expenditure on Bale".
"José Ángel Sánchez, the vice-president, was phoning round saying "if Ozil doesn't do this and comes back as out player tomorrow morning, this isn't going to be good. Where are Manchester United, are they coming in or not?"
"They waited, it didn't happen, that happens in football all the time, and I don't think the Gunners should take that as any kind of sleight, he'll be dedicated to Arsenal."
Ozil secured his move to the Emirates Stadium in the final few hours of the summer transfer window and will likely make his debut for the Gunners against Sunderland upon his return from international duty.
Reports suggested on Monday morning that Manchester United were interested in the German international, who eventually joined Arsenal in a club-record £42.5 million move.
Sources close to the Red Devils refuted that claim, but speaking on Sky Sports' Revista de La Liga, Hunter believes that with Ozil facing up to the fact that he was being forced out of Real Madrid following the arrival of Gareth Bale, the 24-year-old was desperately waiting for a call from Old Trafford that never came.
"They held on and held on, his father was sending frantic phone calls out from a hotel very near the Bernabeu, up to the point where Madrid though "we need this €50 million to offset the expenditure on Bale".
"José Ángel Sánchez, the vice-president, was phoning round saying "if Ozil doesn't do this and comes back as out player tomorrow morning, this isn't going to be good. Where are Manchester United, are they coming in or not?"
"They waited, it didn't happen, that happens in football all the time, and I don't think the Gunners should take that as any kind of sleight, he'll be dedicated to Arsenal."
Ozil secured his move to the Emirates Stadium in the final few hours of the summer transfer window and will likely make his debut for the Gunners against Sunderland upon his return from international duty.
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