Ancelotti: Ozil quotes are unfounded

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has rubbished reports in which he was quoted expressing regret regarding the sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal.

The Italian was quoted as calling the decision to allow Ozil to move to the Premier League in August as “a mistake” but he rejected those claims and insisted he had never given an interview.

Ancelotti was speaking ahead of Madrid’s Liga trip to Real Betis and he expressed his desire to speak about the current squad and not a former player.

“I am not going to speak about a player who is no longer here,” he said. “I’ve explained myself over and over again.

“I’m surprised a newspaper invented this story, there is no story there, and it is unfounded.”

The 54-year-old was also quick to reject reports that Fabio Coentrao and Alvara Morata could leave the Santiago Bernabeu during the January transfer window.

Morata has been linked to Arsenal, as well as Serie A duo Juventus and Inter, while Coentrao is reportedly attracting interest from David Moyes at Manchester United.

“Morata hasn’t asked to leave the club,” he added. “I think he is happy here, nothing has changed over the last few days, we need Morata to be here.

“There are no first choice players, subs, reserves. It is a big squad.

“Marcelo is fresher (than Coentrao).

“Coentrao is just back after injury, he will rest on Saturday because we want to make he can be as match fit as possible.”