Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has revealed that a ‘dream’ deal to sign Mesut Ozil from Arsenal is ‘closer’ than it has ever been before; watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace on Thursday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League & Sky Sports Main Event; kick-off is 8pm
Mesut Ozil has said “if I went to Turkey, I could only go to Fenerbahce” amid speculation the Turkish Super Lig club are interested in signing the Arsenal midfielder.
The 32-year-old’s representatives are currently in talks with a number of clubs, including Fenerbahce and DC United, over a move away from Arsenal, although the player’s priority is to see out his current contract until the summer.
Arsenal are yet to receive any direct contact from other clubs regarding the prospect of Ozil leaving this month. The playmaker has not featured for the Gunners since March last year after being omitted from manager Mikel Arteta’s Premier League and Europa League squads for the first half of this season.
Fenerbahce president Ali Koc also added to speculation that an agreement could be on the horizon by revealing the move is “closer” than it ever has been before.
He said: “Let me make a statement about (Mesut) Ozil. I am still saying it’s a dream.
“If you are aware, we as the Fenerbahce Sports Club, never made a single statement about this. What’s important here is that Mesut (Ozil) can address the issues with his present club.
“We can say that this (Ozil’s transfer) is a subject that we are closer to in comparison to the past. There isn’t a single thing that is finished, it may end or it may not end. Therefore, these types of stories being published in the press make our hand weaker. We will see what the days ahead will show us.”
Earning around £350,000-a-week, Ozil is the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history and he is free to speak with other sides this month ahead of his current deal expiring in June.
Ozil’s agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, told Sky Sports News earlier in January that his client’s future will become clearer over the course of the month.
The former Germany international, who was a part of Joachim Low’s side which won the World Cup in 2014, joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 for a then club-record fee and has scored 44 goals in 254 matches for the Gunners in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Arteta has confirmed that forward Eddie Nketiah will not be departing Arsenal this month.
The winter transfer window is open until Monday, February 1 at 11pm kindly follow The Score Nigeria for live update
