Out of favour Arsenal star Mesut Özil is attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to the Telegraph. The 31-year-old did not manage to get on the pitch post-lockdown and has been frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s plans for the 2020/21 campaign.
Arsenal are very keen on off-loading the German whose contract is set to expire next year. His £350,000 a week contract has proven to be a burden that Arsenal no longer want to take on. However, Ozil has made it clear that he would like to see out the remainder of his contract.
Al-Nassr and an Unnamed Qatari Club Interested in Arsenal’s Mesut Özil
Clubs Interested
Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr are reportedly ready to offer Ozil a highly lucrative deal. The club look to lure the 31-year-old by proposing a £15 million annual salary for the playmaker. Despite his intentions to stay in London, a mammoth contract offer such as this, coupled with the opportunity to be the star of the show once again, could tempt Özil to make the switch.
Elsewhere, an unnamed Qatari club are also reportedly in pursuit of Özil’s signature. Even if the German does see out his contract at Arsenal, both clubs are expected to monitor his situation. Next season, Özil will become a free agent and will make the negotiations easier for the player.
Does Özil Have a Future at Arsenal?
Speaking with the Athletic earlier this transfer window, Ozil is determined to stay and push for a starting spot.
“I’ll decide when I go, not other people. He said.
“I showed in the past that I can come back into the team and I will show it again.
“My position is clear. I’m here through to the last day of our agreement and I’ll give everything I have for this club.”
Mikel Arteta has provided hope for Ozil by claiming that ‘everyone starts from zero’. However, the 31-year-old will need to work incredibly hard to get a place back in Arsenal’s starting line-up. The club are heading in a new direction and Özil needs to jump on-board if he wants regular game-time.
Ozil’s first-team playing time has been halted by the progress of Arsenal’s younger players. The development of Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock has dented Özil’s hopes of regaining a spot in Arteta’s starting XI
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