Mesut Ozil is close to agreeing a deal to leave Arsenal for Turkish side Fenerbahce in the January transfer window, according to Eurosport.
The Gunners midfielder has been frozen out by Mikel Arteta this season. The Arsenal boss excluded Ozil from the club’s 25-man Premier League squad.
That decision came after Arteta excluded the Germany international from Arsenal’s Europa League squad.
Ozil last played for the Gunners in March. He assisted Alexandre Lacazette in the only goal of Arsenal’s 1-0 win against West Ham.
Without Ozil, the north London outfit has struggled for creativity this season. They have scored only ten goals in their 11 league games and sit 15th in the table.
‘I would say 90% he will join us’
Fenerbahce already have former Premier League players Papiss Cisse, Enner Valencia and Mbwana Samatta in their ranks. They are said to be keen to add Ozil to that list.
The 32-year-old’s contract expires in the summer. But, rather than wait, one of Fenerbahce’s congress members believes the Turkish side have all but secured his services for next month.
“A source, who’s very well connected to the club, has told me Mesut Ozil is likely to become a Fenerbahce player during the next transfer window,” said Murat Zorlu.
“I would say 90% he will join us in one month.”
Pundits split over Ozil recall
The former Real Madrid attacker has been splitting opinion this season. Many have called on Arteta to recall Ozil amid Arsenal’s worrying run of form.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, former Arsenal player and caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg said he believes Ozil’s creativity is exactly what the club is missing.
The German boasts 2.3 open play chances created per 90 minutes since August 2015. That stat is behind only former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard and Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.
But fellow pundit Jamie Carragher argued Ozil wasn’t the solution to the club’s weakness in attack.
He said: “Mikel Arteta doesn’t use (Ozil), two managers, maybe three with (Ljungberg), are they all wrong?”
- Ex-police officer seeks presidential pardon
- Report: Moyes wants to link with £80,000-a-week Premier League man at West Ham
- Former Liverpool star joins Serie B side owned by Silvio Berlusconi
- Andrew Brodeur Marvel casting rumours explained
- Ralf Rangnick raves over Liverpool man he claims is best in the world