Arsenal and Mesut Ozil closing in on a new contract as positive talks hint at looming breakthrough
Midfielder whose deal expires next summer and had been seeking £350,000-a-week is in bubbly mood on pre-season tourArsenal are increasingly hopeful they will be able to reach agreement on a new contract with Mesut Ozil, writes John Cross in Beijing.
There have been more positive talks and signs of a breakthrough in negotiations which have been boosted by Ozil himself saying he wants to stay.Ozil has been locked in a contract stand-off for months as he has been demanding £350,000-a-week, while Arsenal have offered £280,000-a-week.
But the 28-year-old has not drawn the same level of interest as Alexis Sanchez, who also has one year left. Arsenal are facing a major dilemma over the Chilean striker's future, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain both keen.
As Ozil came back happy after the summer break and has been a hugely popular figure on the club’s pre-season tour to Australia and now China, there is a hope the two parties will be able to reach an agreement.
Arsenal will be anxious to put the matter to bed, because as matters stand Ozil can sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from January 1 and would be a more attractive proposition as a free agent.
There is a greater concern over Sanchez, who is demanding £400,000-a-week to re-sign.
Although there is no sign of a breakthrough, manager Arsene Wenger insists he will not be sold this summer.
That saga is expected to drag on into August and if Arsenal get a huge offer of above £50m then it could be difficult to resist, rather than risk losing him on a free next summer.
The club will be anxious to resolve Sanchez’s future before doing anything on fellow striker Olivier Giroud, who has been a target for Borussia Dortmund and Everton.
Arsenal do not want to sell them both men, even though the latter is unsettled after the arrival of record-buy Alexandre Lacazette up front.
That saga is expected to drag on into August and if Arsenal get a huge offer of above £50m then it could be difficult to resist, rather than risk losing him on a free next summer.
The club will be anxious to resolve Sanchez’s future before doing anything on fellow striker Olivier Giroud, who has been a target for Borussia Dortmund and Everton.
Arsenal do not want to sell them both men, even though the latter is unsettled after the arrival of record-buy Alexandre Lacazette up front.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-mesut-ozil-closing-new-10839735