Mesut Ozil is into the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract, but where does his future lie?
The German international was linked with a summer move to Barcelona, only for reports to claim that Lionel Messi himself blocked the move, with very few other clubs believed to be interested in his capture.
Ozil has reiterated his happiness in North-London on a number of occasions, unlike fellow contract rebel Alexis Sanchez, but the latest reports claim he wants to move on at the end of his contract next summer.
Reports coming from Germany claim that he is ready to leave after contract talks broke down between himself and the club back in February, with no talks having been held since.
The funny thing is only a few days ago were the tabloids reporting that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident of striking a deal to extend Ozil’s contract. The German international is believed to be holding out for a pay hike, and our club may have to stretch our current structure in order to retain the star.
Two months ago Ozil himself even admitted that it was his preference to stay with the club, although the quote is taken from July.
“It is definitely my preference to stay,” the German said previously.
“Once everyone is back in London, we will sit down and discuss the future. I have always said that I feel very good at Arsenal.”
Of course we are aware that people’s minds and opinions regularly change in football, but I think it is naive to simply believe a story that is thrown around by the media, especially when there isn’t even a quote to back up any such claims.
So what can we believe on the Ozil saga? Does anyone believe he could sign a new deal? Is he replaceable?
Pat J
He won’t make the salary offered by us anywhere else. Very few clubs if any are interested in him.
He really needs to improve this season. At the moment I don’t think he is one of the top 5 CAM in the PL. At the moment I rate Ericksen, Mata, Fabregas, de bruyne, silva, Coutinho over him.
2 years ago when we finished 2nd, Ozil was probably the best that season with around 19 premier league Assists. But last season and this season hasn’t been good. He also doesn’t score much or defends. Also, he doesn’t have anyone to push him. Another problem Arsenal has is not creating enough competition by getting more quality players.
He seems to play better for Germany.
Just giving my honest opinion. Very inconsistent. If he doesn’t improve, is he worth paying £250,000 to £300,000 per week?
Anyway, Ozil – Alexis and Lacazette should really be a dream trio. If all 3 can click this season we should see quite a few goals
I agree, however I think his ‘decline’ has been due to him playing criminally out of position.. Imo he is one of the best ‘number 10’s’ in the world, his position is right behind the striker, a CAM as you say – Yet since he has come he has played LW for the first season, CAM for the second (Surprise surprise he almost broke the PL record for assists, and that was with very average finishers in front of him) and now he seems to be playing as a RW? Play him in position or sell him, it’s seriously that simple.
Who would buy him now when he can sign a pre contract in January and leave for free at the end of the season? He probably will replace Muller at bayern now that he wants to leave. Good riddance to Ozil…a world class waste of 42M. With Sanchez adamant he won’t extend his contract, that’s a further 30M down the drain. Bravo Wenger! No players, no money and no replacements…but what does it matter anyway…the title is never a concern nowadays.
What a load of crap. What’s he making now? 140-150k? He can make a lot more than that, and I think he will. Why do you think he’s not signing a new deal? Because he knows if he runs down his contract, the money the club would’ve spend on buying him could go towards his salary. I guarantee you come January, not only Sanchez but also Ozil will be shopping around for a new club, and I have no doubt there will be a line of potential suitors. Just this morning I read that United will make a move for him soon. And guess what? Mourinho, who once said that Ozil is the best number 10 in the world, will replace Mata, who will be sold by a shameless one once again.
07 June 2017.
“Right now, I’m not thinking about it. But in football, you cannot rule out anything,” Ozil told Funke Media Group, via GMS. “My family would be very happy about a return. Schalke is my absolute favourite club, I’m still a big fan. After all I grew up with Schalke.”
“In terms of potential, Schalke is the number three for me in Germany after Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. They have wonderful fans and a great stadium. It is a pity that they are stuck in mediocrity. This fantastic club deserves more.”
I believe Özil will leave for the same reason Sanchez wants to leave. It will be their last chance to join a big club and challenge for a league title and Champions League. Sanchez will go to Man City or PSG. Özil will go to Bayern Munich (they love their free transfers as much as Arsene Wenger).
Well, Sanchez got an offer from Bayern and he declined. If you want UCL then Bayern is one of the powerhouses, not City. At least not yet. So spare us the ambitions narrative. These days is all about the money. I don’t even know if we have 5 players which you can call true Gunners. Loyalty time is long forgotten, a lucrative deal is better these days. Same with Ozil, 140k is a salary no one is paying today in Germany. And how the hell is Schalke going to be a title contender in Germany with Ozil in their team? You seen Ozil, there must be something I miss here. He’s a good player but not that good for 200k/week. Meh, so sick of all this. Sell them. Sell them all and keep only who wants to be here. I wrote off already the next two years so fsck it. Can’t be bothered.
Ox left for less money.
And yes, I would have sold all the players that didn’t sign new contracts or wanted to stay.
When do you people will wake up and start smelling the coffee? What do you mean for less money? Ox was on 65k at Arsenal. He will earn in excess of 120k at Liverpool doubling his salary. You really didn’t fell for 180k narrative from the club? No one is that stupid to turn that down. Just imagine one second Ox on 180k and Alexis on 140k. Just let that sink in for a second. Don’t believe anything media is saying. Media serves the clubs and agents interests, they are never about telling the truth to anyone. I was saying right here that 180k is insane for anyone bar Alexis at this club and I was ready to bet the mortgage on the fact that Arsenal will never pay more that 100k a week for Ox. No one knows for sure how much we offer him, no one knows for sure how much Alexis got offered from us (I highly doubt anything above 200k not including bonuses is realistic at Arsenal).
Ah, one more thing. Do you know who is the biggest earner at Liverpool? Yep. That is Jurgen Klopp which is making 225k/week. Why did I mention that? Well, you connect the dots and let me know.
I completely agree with you! Its like when people go on and cry how lucky we were that Lacazette 200k per week and Kolasinac 150k per week took mercy on us and agreed to join our collapsing club and just how quickly rhey will regret it. Boy, the only thing they are regretting is not joining sooner and getting their hands on those sweet thousands they get paid every week.
Ox could have gone to Chelsea for more.
For more than what? 65k? You are absolutely right. Out of curiosity, do you have any idea how much was Chelsea offering Ox? Something credible. No? I thought so. Secondly, I am 100% sure Chelsea didn’t pursued Ox otherwise they would have matched Liverpool’s offer of 40 million. The simple fact they couldn’t be bothered it shows how much they wanted him. 40 million is not an amount Chelsea sweats about. I am absolutely amazed that someone paid 40 million for Ox. I am/was a big fan of him and overlooked all his shortcomings but 40 million? That’s a good deal any time of the week. Take the money and run.
If Ozil plays better for Germany then the quality of players he plays with is the problem and also the tactics of the manager.
pay hike for whaaaat??? Are we no rewarding laziness at the club? Theres nothing he does no longer has the most assist in the team . he is hands down the worst player ive seen off the ball. pa hike lol. Arsenal what happening to you???!!
Özil Not Play better for Germany. He is every Game the wirst. Show the whole games. The natural German Fans not want him in the Team. Everybody is fighting and Özil only Jogging
Leaving/intent to leave the club by star players to join direct rivals is oviously the outcome of inactivity of the board in the transfer market..