Mesut Ozil's agent 'makes transfer statement'

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil's agent has reportedly insisted his client will not be leaving Arsenal this summer.

Turkish Football report that representative Dr Erkut Sogut has claimed Ozil is happy at the Gunners and will remain with the club for this season.

Question marks were raised over whether Ozil's Arsenal career was finished after he was omitted from the squad that travelled to Liverpool on Saturday.

Unai Emery opted to sidestep the question when asked the reason behind Ozil's absence, stating "the players here are the ones we think were the best physically to play today.”

The German midfielder is yet to make an appearance for his side this season after missing the opening fixture due to security concerns.

Arsenal were believed to be hopeful of offloading Ozil due to his exorbitant wages, but have struggled to drum up serious interest.

He had been linked with a move to MLS side DC United, and Turkish club Fenerbahce, but the latter ruled out a move for the 30-year-old.

Fenerbahce released a statement to confirm they would not be signing Ozil due to financial issues.

The statement said: "Mesut Ozil, with his career and standing, successfully represents our country abroad. He is an important value known with the identity of Fenerbahce.

"However, Fenerbahce does not have a proposal for Mesut Ozil. Under the current economic conditions, such a step is not possible for both parties."

Ozil is the top earner at the Emirates on a £350,000 per week contract which runs for another two years.

Emery is yet to announce when Ozil will return to the first-team fold, but he may have to wait until after the international break, with Arsenal's only fixture prior being this Sunday's crunch north London derby with Tottenham .

Meanwhile Emery has been holding talks with full-back Nacho Monreal over a move to Real Sociedad.

The 33-year-old played in Saturday's defeat at Anfield, but is likely to be surplus to requirements once new signing Kieran Tierney is back at full fitness.

Sociedad have reportedly offered Monreal a two-year deal with the option to extend a further year.

 

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