Istanbul, 6 Jan 2021 (AFP) -The former German international Mesut Ozil, separated from the team at Arsenal, his club since 2013, is close to signing for the Turkish Fenerbahçe, reports the Turkish press on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old midfielder and Fenerbahçe reportedly reached an agreement for a three-and-a-half-year contract, according to the DHA press agency.
The sports newspaper of reference Fanatik reported for its part that a “principle of agreement” was reached and that the 2014 world champion would receive about five million euros (6.1 million dollars) per season.
Various media also reported that Ozil was also negotiating with the American club DC United.
In conflict with Arsenal, Ozil, a German of Turkish origin, has not played for his club since 7 March 2020. In October, the Gunners did not enroll him in the Premier League squad, reinforcing questions about his future in London.
Ozil, the highest-paid player at Arsenal, with an estimated annual salary of 20 million euros ($ 24.5 million), expires at the end of this season.
Rumors about a transfer from Ozil to Fenerbaçe have been multiplying in Turkey for weeks. The club’s president traveled to London twice in recent days to try to convince the player, according to the press.
If Ozil’s arrival in Fenerbahçe is confirmed, he would be living in a house near President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s home in Istanbul, according to DHA.
The player had been widely criticized in Germany after posing for a photo with Erdogan in 2018. Denouncing “racist” attacks, Ozil ended his international career after this controversy.
Fenerbahçe, one of the three big clubs in Istanbul, is currently fifth in the Turkish championship.
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AFP
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