OZIL AND ARSENAL TO SPLIT AT LAST
German agrees to go, but only if deal is right
Arsenal are trying to push through Mesut Ozil’s departure this month because there is virtually no chance of the German’s first-team exile ending.
Ozil, it is understood, is finally open to leaving the emirates stadium having at one time been insistent he would see out his £350,000-a-week contract which runs out this summer.
The 2014 World Cup winner was not included in Mikel arteta’s Premier league or europa league squads for the opening half of the season and has not played for the club since March.
several influential members of the Gunners squad and staff agreed with arteta’s decision to axe Ozil amid concerns over his commitment.
and so the former real Madrid playmaker’s miserable spell at arsenal is drawing to a close with negotiations underway to secure his exit this month.
Fenerbahce are long- term admirers and his signing would be viewed as a statement from club president ali Koc given Ozil’s Turkish heritage.
Mls clubs, including DC United, are also interested.
arsenal will pay a portion of his wages at his new club.
The 32-year-old is highly unlikely to be included in arteta’s revised squads for the rest of the season, meaning Ozil — barring an unexpected change of heart — has played his last game for arsenal. In an interview with ESPN, Ozil’s agent erkut sogut said yesterday: ‘ I can’t talk about the clubs directly because it would be unprofessional but generally there is six months left on the contract and it is nothing unusual that we will talk to people about different opportunities and try to find the best option for Mesut.
‘He might stay at arsenal until the summer, but he might go. Mesut’s priority is to stay but you never know in football, things can change very fast. For the moment, we are just checking all the options for January and the summer.
‘In the next seven to 10 days it will become clearer as now the transfer window is open things can move faster.’
arsenal are working hard to move on their fringe players. William saliba has joined nice on loan while goalkeeper Matt Macey is poised to sign for Hibernian.
The Gunners are set to land Hertha Berlin defender Omar rekik, 19, for £450,000.