Transfer Centre

Report: Daniel Levy tried to stop Mesut Ozil move

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 03 September 2013

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy contacted Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to try to prevent the transfer of Mesut Ozil to Spurs' arch rivals Arsenal going through, according to a report.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy reportedly contacted Real Madrid to try to persuade them to pull out of the sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal.

The German international midfielder became Arsenal's record signing when he moved to the Emirates Stadium for £43m from Los Blancos, who had just purchased Spurs winger Gareth Bale for £85m.

The Express understands that Levy felt betrayed that Madrid, who formed a 'special relationship' with the White Hart Lane outfit following the sale of Luka Modric, were willing to allow one of their star players to sign for Tottenham's biggest rivals.

The same source also claims that Levy was further frustrated by Ozil's departure, as the La Liga giants had insisted he was not available to join Spurs as part of the Bale transfer.

In a bid to prevent the deal going through, Levy called Madrid president Florentino Perez, who politely informed him that Ozil's move to the Gunners was already all but complete.