Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil is 'closer than ever' to joining Fenerbahce, according to the Turkish club's sporting director Emre Belozoglu.
Emre admitted Fenerbahce have held talks with Ozil and his agent, hailing the Gunners midfielder as "a superstar" and hailing the move as "very positive" for the club.
However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted there were no "concrete" developments, although he admitted technical director Edu had been involved in discussions.
The Gunners are hoping to offload Ozil in the January transfer window, with the 32-year-old having been frozen out by Arteta since March last year.
But an agreement will have to be thrashed out over the remainder of the World Cup winner's wages, with the former Real Madrid set to be owed around £7million from the final five-and-a-half months of his contract.
Emre admitted negotiations won't be easy, but said he is confident Ozil will end up joining the club he supported as a boy.
"Mesut Ozil has been one of the most special players in the world for his position in the last 20 years," former Newcastle midfielder Emre told Sky Sports.
"If this transfer takes place, it will be a first. I regard it as a very positive move for both our community and our president, but I don't think it will be easy.
"We have our own plans. And Mesut has a contract with his club. He is a superstar.
"We are talking about a player who contributes to goals in every other game, regardless of which team he plays for.
"I will be extremely pleased if Fenerbahce can have such a player, especially while we are on duty.
"We had a meeting with him and his agent. It's happening slowly, but Mesut is closer than ever to Fenerbahce.
"The fact that Mesut's childhood dream is still alive and Fenerbahce has such a dream has made this step so close for the first time.
"After Mesut is done with the negotiations with his club, we will have our own negotiations among ourselves.
"If Mesut can make a deal with his club on the terms we expect, it won't be a burden for us financially considering our limits this year."
Arteta was quizzed on Ozil's future after Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Thursday.
“There are some conversations with Edu and the club, but nothing concrete at the moment," said the manager.
Ironically, the Gunners could have done with some of the playmaker's creativity as they failed to break down their visitors' stubborn defence, with the draw leaving them in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
fatbilorsu
1
u don't need to live ozil
KanishkaDas1993
0
i scrolled down fast to the comments and thought I saw Maguire in this article
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jovetic
Unitedforlife6
1
i scrolled down fast to the comments and thought I saw Maguire in this article
Pasceklmr
1
If ozil is that great as his fan boys claim, y is man u, city, Liverpool, barca, bayern, Madrid, psg, juve and others not after him or the coaches too need to be sacked?
Tangwz
1
I am 16 and looking for a football team please.
youngbutty0626
1
arsenal team, oju yin a ja[5percent][5percent]
Bashayi
1
Ozil is always like minus one player in the Arsenal team. Playing according to instructions is very key.
I guess they were minus two or three yesterday with the underperforming bunch they played against crystal palace yesterday.
beece_ngumex
2
Ozil is always like minus one player in the Arsenal team. Playing according to instructions is very key.
Gunners4ever❤
0
So why then when Arteta came in he played Ozil for 11 consecutive games without him creating anything and walking around the pitching when we lost possession???
Thank you!
Capeioru
3
Arsenal would have been in a different form should Arteta have taken a step to sort the differences and provide Mesut Ozil with an opportunity to play. Sadly Arsenal is deliberately losing great talent one of the most creative midfielders in the world.
So why then when Arteta came in he played Ozil for 11 consecutive games without him creating anything and walking around the pitching when we lost possession???
Anti786
2
Arsenal would have been in a different form should Arteta have taken a step to sort the differences and provide Mesut Ozil with an opportunity to play. Sadly Arsenal is deliberately losing great talent one of the most creative midfielders in the world.
Sadly, Arsenal are giving Chelsea some whoopass, lately 😉😁
Gunners4ever❤
1
Arsenal would have been in a different form should Arteta have taken a step to sort the differences and provide Mesut Ozil with an opportunity to play. Sadly Arsenal is deliberately losing great talent one of the most creative midfielders in the world.
Please take him and give us Ziyech.
NorbuG
7
Arsenal would have been in a different form should Arteta have taken a step to sort the differences and provide Mesut Ozil with an opportunity to play. Sadly Arsenal is deliberately losing great talent one of the most creative midfielders in the world.