Arsenal 'enter talks with Mesut Ozil over buying out his £7.2m contract'

Arsenal are in discussions with Mesut Ozil over buying the Gunners outcast out of his contract for £7.2m, with the north London side eager to move the German on before his contract expires this summer. 

Ozil has spent more than seven years at Arsenal, in which time he has helped the club to four FA Cup titles. The playmaker has scored 44 goals and provided 77 assists in his 254 appearances for the club. 

However, the German has not featured for Mikel Arteta’s side since March and the club are looking to offload the 32-year-old, who is on £350,000-per-week.

And according to Turkish outlet TRT Spor, both club and player have entered talks over his remaining wages, which could pave the way for him to move on this January transfer window. 

Should Ozil stay at the club until his contract expires, he would earn roughly £7.2m, and it is understood that the outcast will not leave for a penny less than what he is owed from Arsenal.

The Gunners are aware of Ozil’s stance but would rather not take the hit and are looking to reach a compromise. 

Turkish giants Fenerbahce and a number of MLS clubs – including DC United – are interested in signing the playmaker, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in a deal worth £42.5m in 2013. 

The Guardian have reported that Arsenal are uninterested in paying the remaining part of Ozil’s salary if he makes the switch to Turkey for the remainder of the season.

Arsenal boss Arteta said this week that he hopes a solution to the stand off is found shortly.

‘I’m saying we will decide what’s happening in the next few days,’ Arteta said. ‘I don’t know what is going to happen. Obviously now he’s free to negotiate with other clubs. 

‘We will discuss internally what the best solution for him is for the near future, obviously with the player and agent too, and try to find the best solution for everyone.’