Mesut Ozil free to talk to foreign clubs, with Arsenal contract expiring at end of season; midfielder has not played for the Gunners since March; Ozil: "I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan - the biggest club in my country"
Thursday 14 January 2021 15:53, UK
Mesut Ozil's time at Arsenal looks to be drawing to a close after Fenerbahce sporting director Emre Belozoglu said the midfielder is "closer than ever" to joining the Turkish club.
The 32-year-old's contract - which makes him Arsenal's highest earner - is set to expire at the end of the season but his representatives have held talks with Fenerbahce, as well as DC United, about a move during the January transfer window.
He was not registered in Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads for this season and has not played for the Gunners since March.
Speaking to Turkish media about the prospect of Ozil moving to Fenerbahce, Emre - who spent three years as a player at Newcastle - said: "Mesut Ozil has been one of the most special players in the world for his position in the last 20 years.
"If this transfer takes place, it will be a first. I regard it as a very positive move for both our community and our president, but I don't think it will be easy. We have our own plans. And Mesut has a contract with his club.
"He is a superstar. We are talking about a player who contributes to goals in every other game, regardless of which team he plays for. I will be extremely pleased if Fenerbahce can have such a player, especially while we are on duty.
"We had a meeting with him and his agent. It's happening slowly, but Mesut is closer than ever to Fenerbahce. The fact that Mesut's childhood dream is still alive and Fenerbahce has such a dream has made this step so close for the first time.
"After Mesut is done with the negotiations with his club, we will have our own negotiations among ourselves. If Mesut can make a deal with his club on the terms we expect, it won't be a burden for us financially considering our limits this year.
"Fenerbahce, or any club for this matter, can't afford to pay salaries of 4-5m euros to football players anymore. There's no way we would pay amounts that would upset balances within Fenerbahce or affect other players' salaries; we can't afford that."
Ozil held a Twitter Q&A earlier this week during which he revealed his desire to play in Turkey and the USA before he retires. He added: "If I went to Turkey, I could only go to Fenerbahce."
In response to another question, the former Germany international said: "I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan as a kid in Germany - every German-Turkish person supports a Turkish team when they grow up in Germany.
"And mine was Fenerbahce. Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in my country."
Speaking about Ozil's future earlier this month, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "I don't know what is going to happen. Obviously now he's free to negotiate with other clubs.
"We will discuss internally what the best situation for him is for the near future, obviously with the player and the agent too, and try to find the best solution for everyone.
"If something was sorted this month, it's because it is good for both parties, it is good for Mesut and his future, and it's good for the club. If that's the case, we will move forward, if it's not the case the player will stay here."
Ozil, who arrived at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, has scored 44 goals and registered 77 assists in 254 appearances for the club.
