In an interview with Spanish outlet, Marca, Mesut Ozil appears to be open to a return to former club, Real Madrid, but is he?

When asked about whether the playmaker could see himself returning to the La Liga club, this is the translation of what his reply was:

“Return to Madrid? You never know,” he said.

“Zidane was my idol; as a child, I always wanted to be like him on the field.”

Obviously, this has birthed numerous headlines pertaining to Ozil ‘hinting at’ or ‘being open to’ a return to his ex-club, where Zinedine Zidane now coaches.

However, if you look at the quote for what it is, an off-the-cuff answer to a Spanish newspaper, which obviously wants him to return, it’s honestly nothing.

It’s non-committal, diplomatic and polite.

Ozil has waxed lyrical about his love for London and Arsenal. And it does seem as if he’s close to signing a new deal with the club.

Back in September, the 28-year-old said:

“Now that you say it: this can be.

“At Arsenal I definitely have a special relationship since they played Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp and later with Jens Lehmann, a German goalkeeper. They were playful always very, very good. Since I have always thought that this is an awesome team, for which I would like to play again. So I probably realised my goals.

“My first goal is really to stay healthy. Everything else comes as it comes. You always have to work hard on yourself, but you can’t ultimately force anything. I just try to successfully play football and enjoy my life. Because what I do, I love them dearly.

“I am very, very happy there. The city is alive, outstanding. Have you ever been there?

“It is unfortunately very expensive, but the city is outstanding, there is always something going on, things to do when it’s time for the family to visit.

“And the league is in my opinion the strongest league in the world, because it is so balanced.

“I’m just happy to be there and to play for Arsenal. I have always been lucky enough to play in play strong teams, in which, so to speak a little bit can be cast.That makes a lot of fun.

“I recently read that I hadn’t stayed anywhere longer than three years.

“At Arsenal I am now going into my fourth year. That says a lot.

“And the TV money will be invested, it is even more interesting.”

While it’s not unheard of for big European clubs to buy back their players, at Real, Ozil would have the same problem as Jame Rodriguez and Luka Modric. He’d find it difficult to get regular game time in a squad full of stars.

At Arsenal he IS the star and I think he knows that.