Mesut Ozil causing feud at AC Milan with club split on transfer – with ex-Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis against deal

ARSENAL's attempts to offload Mesut Ozil to AC Milan has caused infighting between Ivan Gazidis and club legend Paolo Maldini.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport understand the Gunners offered the former Germany international to the Serie A club for a move this month.

But while sporting strategy and development director Maldini wanted to bring the 30-year-old to the San Siro, chief-executive Gazidis was against the move.

The former Italy international felt Milan could benefit from Ozil's "quality and experience", but Gazidis preferred they signed players with resale value.

A frank exchange of views is said to have caused friction between the pair and reports suggest it could lead to a "divorce".

After 31 years as a player with Milan, during which time he made over 900 appearances and won 26 major honours, Maldini returned to the club in August behind the scenes.

As part of a mass restructuring by new owners Elliott Management the 50-year-old was given a role alongside former teammate Leonardo.

Two months later, Gazidis was enlisted from Arsenal to become the club's new CEO, while the North Londoners embarked on an overhaul of their own.

News that Arsenal failed in their efforts to sell Ozil casts a darker shadow over his future at The Emirates Stadium.

Juventus and Inter Milan are also said to have been offered the chance to sign him this month.

Emery appears to have turned his back on Ozil

Reports have suggested that the club are keen to sell the ex-Real Madrid playmaker in order to remove his £350,000-a-week pay packet from the wage bill.

Ozil has not played for Arsenal in 2019 having been absent for the last four games.

Manager Unai Emery suggested that Ozil did not deserve a place in the squad for last weekend's defeat to West Ham.

It remains to be seen whether he is included for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday in a key game in the race for the top four.

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