Transfer poker begins for Bremen`s Oezil

Having caught the eye for the national team after scoring in last weekend’s 2-0 win over South Africa, the transfer poker around Germany’s latest star Mesut Oezil from Werder Bremen has already begun.

The 20-year-old is contracted to Bremen until June 2011, but his performance and debut goal on his first start for the national team has raised his profile considerably with the midfielder set to face Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

“Mesut’s contract still runs for two years and at present there is no need to extend his contract,” his advisor Reza Fazeli told German tabloid Bild ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier in Hanover.

Already Spanish giants Valencia and Premier League club Manchester City have expressed an interest in signing him, but Bremen’s director of sport Klaus Allofs said the Bundesliga side are in no rush.

“We are in no hurry. Nothing has really changed for us,” said Allofs.

But Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who steered Bayern Munich to the league and cup double in 2008, says he can imagine Oezil replacing Real Madrid-target Franck Ribery in Munich.

Speculation over whether Ribery will stay with Bayern or leave for Madrid next season is rarely off the backpages here and Oezil would suit Bayern’s style if they need a replacement, says Hitzfeld.

“He could also do very well at Bayern,” he said.

“He is a great player, who injects some pace into counter-attacks.

“He reminds me of Memut Scholl and is the type of player who fits Bayern’s system.”