Staff Reporter.
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is close to completing a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce.
The 32-year-old still has half a season left on his Arsenal contract but both parties are in advanced talks which they expect to lead to an agreement to terminate it.
That would pave the way for the move to Istanbul in the coming days.
Ozil has not played for Arsenal since a 1-0 win over West Ham in March and has been frozen out by boss Mikel Arteta.
The former Germany international is now expected to join Fenerbahce during the January transfer window, with the Turkish club hopeful of confirming the deal in the coming days.
The developments come after progress was made in talks between Arsenal technical director Edu, Fenerbahce director Emre and Ozil’s agent. The Gunners made it clear they wanted Ozil to leave in January.
Ozil spoke of his admiration for the Turkish side during a social media question-and-answer session during the week.
“Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in the country,” he told followers.
Media reports in Turkey earlier this month claimed Fenerbahce would be signing Ozil in January.
And when asked about that manager Arteta said a move would only happen if it was “the best solution for everybody”.
He was born in Germany but has Turkish heritage, and Fenerbahce chairman Ali Koc has said previously that signing Ozil was a “nice dream”.
Ozil, who arrived at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, scored 44 goals and registered 77 assists in 254 appearances for the club.
The winter transfer window is open until Monday, February 1 at 11pm.