Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Arsenal agree to end Ozil's contract

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 16 January 2021 05:05

Mesut Ozil has a verbal agreement with Arsenal to terminate his contract this weekend and will join Fenerbahce in the coming days, sources have told ESPN.

Talks are ongoing over the exact numbers involved but sources have told ESPN that Ozil will not receive all of the approximately £7 million in wages he is owed.

- Insider Notebook: Man Utd rival Chelsea for Rice
- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+

Instead, he will join Fenerbahce as a free agent after the Turkish club beat off competition from MLS side D.C. United to his signature.

Ozil is expected to go to the training ground tomorrow to say his goodbyes, sources have told ESPN, as the team prepares for Monday's Premier League home game against Newcastle.

The 32-year-old had been frozen out of the first-team picture at Emirates Stadium to the extent he was not even registered for Premier League or Europa League action this season.

January offers a chance for teams to change their squad for both competitions but Arsenal had indicated to Ozil he still had no prospect of playing. As a result, the midfielder's camp began talks with interested overseas clubs as he entered the final six months of his £350,000-a-week contract.

That club-record wage has been a significant financial burden with Ozil insisting he is owed the remaining £7m if he is not able to see out the remainder of his existing deal.

Negotiations have been continuing throughout January with Fenerbahce and MLS side D.C. United but the issue of his outstanding Arsenal contract remained a significant stumbling block.

However, sources have told ESPN that an agreement has been reached in principle which frees up Ozil to end his seven-and-a-half-year spell in north London and begin a new chapter in a country where he has family heritage. His grandparents migrated from Turkey to Germany.

He went on to win 92 caps for Germany and lifted the World Cup in 2014, a year after joining Arsenal from Real Madrid in what was then a club-record £42.4m deal.

He made 184 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and won three FA Cups.

Ozil's first three years at the club saw his best form, equalling Thierry Henry's record of 19 Premier League assists in 2015-16 but he gradually fell out of favour once Arsene Wenger left the club, falling out with his successor Unai Emery and later Mikel Arteta.

Ozil started the first 10 League games under Arteta before lockdown due to COVID-19, during which the vast majority of Arsenal's first-team squad accepted a 12.5% pay cut.

Ozil refused because the club had not made it clear how the money would be spent and he has not played since.

There was also friction between Ozil and the club over his public criticism of the Uighur Muslims in China.

Arsenal issued a statement at the time which read: "The content published is Ozil's personal opinion. As a football club, Arsenal has always adhered to the principle of not involving itself in politics."

However, the saga is now finally over with Ozil set to depart.

Read 221 times

Soccer

Orlando's Luana diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma

Orlando's Luana diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma

EmailPrintOrlando Pride midfielder Luana has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, the club announ...

Thiago Silva to leave Chelsea after 4-year stint

Thiago Silva to leave Chelsea after 4-year stint

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThiago Silva has confirmed he will leave Chelsea at the end of the...

Kimmich: UCL semis is no time for new coach talk

Kimmich: UCL semis is no time for new coach talk

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMUNICH, Germany -- Joshua Kimmich says Bayern Munich cannot let unc...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

What has stood out so far during the NBA playoffs?

What has stood out so far during the NBA playoffs?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2024 NBA playoffs first-round series are into their second week...

Struggling Luka: Feel like I'm letting Kyrie down

Struggling Luka: Feel like I'm letting Kyrie down

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- Kyrie Irving's scoring brilliance allowed the Mavericks t...

Baseball

Battle for the AL East! Why Yanks-O's is the week's biggest series

Battle for the AL East! Why Yanks-O's is the week's biggest series

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe battle for the American League East starts now! This week, the...

O's Kimbrel exits with tight back after blown save

O's Kimbrel exits with tight back after blown save

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- Closer Craig Kimbrel blew his second save in as many o...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated