Mesut Ozil 'snubs' Arsenal exit - but could still have transfer get-out option this summer

Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil has reportedly turned down the chance to join Fenerbahce, but newly-crowned Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir are also interested in signing him

Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil has snubbed the chance to join Fenerbahce - but another Turkish side could still offer him a way out of the Emirates this summer.

Ozil, 31, is yet to feature for the Gunners during Project Restart, plunging his future at the club into serious doubt.

He only has 12 months remaining on his £350,000-a-week deal, nonetheless, meaning Arsenal only have one more transfer window to cash in on him.

According to German publication Bild, Ozil has already rejected an advance from Fenerbahce.

It is believed the former Germany international’s hefty wages proved the stumbling block, with Fenerbahce not able to offer anywhere close to the £1.7m annual salary he rakes in at Arsenal.

Mesut Ozil is yet to feature for Arsenal during Project Restart, plunging his future at the club into doubt (Image: 2020 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)

However, 90min claim Istanbul Basaksehir are also interested in prising Ozil away from the Gunners this summer.

The newly-crowned Turkish champions are prepared to formalise interest that initially began last summer, although Ozil will still have to accept a pay cut if he is to depart the Emirates.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has close ties with the club, suggested a deal could take place last year.

Mesut Ozil 'snubs' Arsenal exit - but could still have transfer get-out option this summer
The midfielder has reportedly turned down the chance to join Fenerbahce (Image: GETTY)

Erdogan is a personal friend of Ozil and was even the best man at his wedding in 2019.

And now he is keen to see the midfielder, who has hinted at a potential move to Turkey in the past due to his Turkish heritage, make the move this summer.

It is becoming difficult to envisage Ozil remaining an Arsenal player beyond the end of the season given his lack of first-team minutes under Mikel Arteta during Project Restart.

Mesut Ozil 'snubs' Arsenal exit - but could still have transfer get-out option this summer
But newly-crowned Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir are also keen to sign him (Image: GETTY)

Nevertheless, the Gunners boss recently suggested it is not impossible for him to work his way back into the side.

When discussing Granit Xhaka’s return to the side after being stripped of the captaincy earlier this season, Arteta said: "That applies for any player, and any member of the staff.

"If you really show that then you’re deciding to do the best, not for yourself, but for the team and for the club, I think everybody will welcome you.

"It’s not just me that has to give the green light. It’s everybody that has to be supportive and you need to feel as well that support from everybody because if not it’s a very uncomfortable situation.”

Ozil will hope to make his first appearance in Project Restart when Arsenal go away to Aston Villa tonight.