Transfer from Matthijs De Ligt: the role played by Mesut Ozil in Arsenal's attempt to attack the defender to the tune of £ 70 million

Arsenal could get ahead in the race to the coveted defender Matthijs De Ligt, but only if Mesut Ozil is no longer in the payroll this summer.

Among the many publications published in The Mail Online, one can read that gunners are lagging behind De Ligt, 19, whose displays for Ajax have made him stand out.

De Ligt is expected to leave Ajax this summer and cost up to 70 million pounds sterling.

The teenager is considered a target for a host of big clubs across Europe. He has been linked to Liverpool, Manchester City and Juventus, and it has been suggested to team up again with Frenkie De Jong in Barcelona.

But the Gunners are also on the hunt and they could have two very important badistants: Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp, ​​who both worked for De Ligt and can tell him a few words about life in North London.

But any Gunners deal for De Ligt should involve Ozil's departure from the club.

Arsenal can not afford the £ 70 million price tag of the defender 's he does not remove the £ 350,000 weekly contract from Ozil' s equation.

The money raised through the transfer of German and the release of wages could be plunged into a move for De Ligt, although Arsenal will face stiff competition for its services.