Mesut Ozil 'held talks with Paris Saint-Germain before Arsenal move'

Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc has revealed that the club were close to signing midfielder Mesut Ozil before he decided on a switch to Arsenal.

The German international became the Gunners' club-record signing by moving to the Emirates from Real Madrid for a reported £42.5m on deadline day.

However, it has been claimed that the 24-year-old held discussions about a possible move from the Bernabeu to Parc des Princes.

Blanc has also admitted that the Ligue 1 outfit were keen to sign Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, who has so far this season been handed a limited role by Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

"To my knowledge, the only negotiations there have been were those for Ozil," The Express quotes Blanc as saying.

Madrid president Florentino Perez questioned Ozil's professionalism following his switch to Arsenal.