D.C. United leading the race to sign Arsenal playmaker

Major League Soccer side D.C. United are reportedly leading the race to sign midfielder Mesut Ozil from Arsenal next month.

Ozil has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Gunners and he has not been registered to play for them during the first half of the season.

He will enter the final six months of his contract in January and ESPN claims that United have put an offer on the table for the German.

United have lacked the presence of a genuine game-changer since the exit of Wayne Rooney and they are prepared to make Ozil their highest earner.

Still, any deal will depend on whether the midfielder is prepared to mutually cut ties with the Gunners by accepting a compensation package.

Ozil has previously stated that he would honour the remainder of his contract before considering his future options.

Aside from United, Fenerbahce have also been regularly linked with the 2014 World Cup winner, who has not played for the Gunners since March.