Werder Bremen are refusing to concede defeat in their efforts to tie Mesut Ozil down on fresh terms.
General manager Klaus Allofs revealed last week that the club may be forced to cash in on their prized asset if they cannot reach an agreement.
Discussions regarding a contract extension have dragged on for some time and, with Ozil having just 12 months remaining on his current deal, time is fast running out on Bremen.
They are not about to give up on the Germany international, who shone at the 2010 World Cup, but mounting speculation regarding his future is doing little to aid their cause.
Allofs admits that he is fighting a losing battle at present, but is adamant that a summer sale of Ozil is far from guaranteed.
"We were trying to find a solution on a new contract with Mesut Ozil up until the start of the World Cup, but we couldn't," Allofs told Kreiszeitung Syke .
Progress"In the meantime we made good progress and were confident that we could fill in the final blanks with the right figures.
"We had our ideas but we have not been able to bring this to an end.
"We are not angry, no way. We intend to keep on trying."
Reports in Germany have claimed that Ozil has already met with Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, but Allofs claims he knows of no such discussions.
"I have been told by the newspapers about these reports," he added.
"But I insist that we have received no enquiries or offers for the player. We remain in regular contact with Mesut and his agent."
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