After securing key transfers in the form of Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi, Arsene Wenger’s next target is to get Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to sign contract extensions. While Sanchez has demanded a fixed price release clause in his new contract, Ozil has spoken about his negotiations with the club.
Speaking to German Express, Ozil disclosed that the talks halted due to Euro 2016 held earlier this summer.
“I have a contract until 2018,” Ozil said. “We have had discussions, but they were suspended for the European Championship.
“I wanted to focus at this time only on the national team. Now we look to continue the negotiations.”
Ozil might have wanted to wait out and analyse Arsenal’s transfer market activity and then decide on his future at the club. Now that the North London side have carried out some decent transfer business, negotiations over Ozil’s contract can continue. Mustafi, a player Ozil knows well from the German national team, is expected to play a role in influencing the playmaker to extend his stay.
The German has two years left on his existing contract keeping him at Arsenal until 2018 but the Gunners are keen to offer him a contract extension.
Don't Miss:
- Arsenal ready a £25million bid for a ‘rising star’ of Dutch football
- Arsene Wener to return to dugout since leaving Arsenal in 2018
- Arsenal target ex-midfielder transfer after four years apart
Ozil also revealed that he is happy in London and appreciates the support he receives from the fans.
“They like me and the way I play football…it’s a lot of fun playing in England.”
However, he hinted that he imagines his future eventually away from the Emirates. Ozil stated that a return to Bundesliga is possible and so is ending his career in the United States.
“In football, you can never say never. You don’t know what will happen. I had a good time in Germany. That was a lot of fun.
“Eventually [moving to MLS] could be an option. I have fun everywhere. My fans know that I like to spend my vacation in Los Angeles, because the city inspires me.”
Ozil is vital in Arsenal’s hopes of challenging for the title this season. The club is keen on improving the contract and paying big money to the German. It is understood the 27-year-old is close to getting a deal which will go as high as £200,000-a-week, a deal similar to what Alexis Sanchez is holding out for.
COMMENTS