Ozil image surfaces as Arsenal outcast meets with Basaksehir boss
Football
By
Mirror
| Aug 11, 2020
Mesut Ozil was pictured in the company of Istanbul Basaksehir boss Okan Buruk in an image that was shared on social media.
The Arsenal outcast has been in Turkey since prior to the end of the Gunners' season, with Mikel Arteta allowing him to leave the UK before the FA Cup final against Chelsea because he wasn't set to be involved in the matchday squad.
Ozil still has a year left on his contract at Arsenal, but there appears to be little chance of him finding a way back into Arteta's plans as the long-running saga over his future continues.
The 31-year-old's agent Erkut Sogut recently claimed that Ozil would see out his £350,000 a week contract and stay at the club until the summer of 2021.
But Arsenal are known to be desperate to get the former Germany international off their books as they continue to miss out on the riches on offer from qualifying for the Champions League.
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At the weekend Ozil was pictured alongside the former Turkey international midfielder Buruk in an image shared on the Instagram Story of Turkish television entrepreneur Acun Ilicali.
A TV presenter, reality TV judge and renowned media mogul, Ilicali is a huge name in his native Turkey, and Ozil's appearance alongside the manager of the newly-crowned Turkish champions has got several tongues wagging in the country.
Basaksehir have undergone a major change since receiving huge investment five years ago, and they clinched their first Turkish title last month.
Buruk's title-winning squad features several names familiar to Premier League fans, including the former Chelsea and Newcastle forward Demba Ba, ex-Arsenal and Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy, former City star Robinho and the ex-Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.