OZIL CLOSING IN ON DREAM MOVE TO CHILDHOOD CLUB IN MAJOR ARSENAL U-TURN

Featured Image Credit: Goal.com

After almost 8 years at Arsenal, Mesut Ozil looks set to finally leave the club this month, with his likely destination being Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig.

The 32-year-old has not featured for the club since March, after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.

Though Ozil still has six months to go on his £350,000 a week contract, both his agent and the club are keen for him to move on this transfer window.

The player added fuel to the transfer rumours on Monday night, during a question and answer on Twitter:

“There are two countries I want to play football in before I retire: Turkey and USA. If I went to Turkey, I could only go to Fenerbahce.

“I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan as a kid in Germany - every German-Turkish person supports a Turkish team when they grow up in Germany. And mine was Fenerbahce. Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in the country.”

Meanwhile Fenerbahçe president Ali Koc also made it clear in an interview with TRT Sport that the club were closing in on signing the German this month:

“Ozil would be a dream for us at Fenerbahçe.

“The club knows what the coach wants, and our transfer policy is guided by that.

“There hasn’t been an official announcement. What I can say is we are closer than before.”

Major League Soccer side DC United are also said to be in the running to sign Ozil this month, with the Germans representatives reportedly talking to both clubs.

Whether the 32-year-old leaves now or the summer, there will be much debate as to what legacy he leaves behind as Arsenal.

For many he will remain an Arsenal icon, being the best player at the club in the last decade, as well as leading the club to three FA cups.

Others will look back on his time at the club more critically, especially this final year where he has not featured at all for the gunners whilst costing them up to £18 Million in wages.