<
>

Source: Mesut Ozil part of bid to buy ownership stake in Liga MX's Necaxa

World Cup winner Mesut Ozil is part of a group that is eyeing a 50% ownership stake in Liga MX side Necaxa, a source confirmed to ESPN's James Olley.

The source confirmed Ozil's involvement, but declined to elaborate further on the details of the potential deal.

In a statement, Necaxa clarified that the club is not planning an ownership change but acknowledged the agreement in principle with an investment group.

- Insider Notebook: Raiola's Haaland roadshow
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewers guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more

"We are planning to be partners with a group with an extensive experience in soccer and in management of top clubs at an international level. This agreement will strengthen our institution and take it to the next level," Necaxa said in a statement.

"Club Necaxa will continue to operate under the same administration that took over in 2014 promoting the team from the second division and consolidating its position in the first division."

Sources from Liga MX told ESPN that the arrival of the new partners still must be approved by the Necaxa owners group. The next Assembly of Owners in the club's schedule will take place on the last week of May.

Sportico first reported the potential sale. Among those also cited in the report are investor real estate investor Al Tylis, DC United executive Sam Porter, actress Eva Longoria, model Kate Upton and her husband, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander.

Necaxa, based in the Mexican city of Aguascalientes, have won three league titles in Mexico's top-flight division.

Ozil plays for Turkish side Fenerbahce after leaving Arsenal in January. He played for the Gunners after joining from Real Madrid in 2013 for a then-club record fee of £42.5 million and went on to win the FA Cup three times. He also helped Germany win their fourth World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.