Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil travels to Turkey as Fenerbahce transfer nears completion
The former Germany international is set to end his seven-and-a-half year spell at the Emirates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mesut Ozil said his goodbyes at Arsenal on Sunday and travelled to Turkey ahead of a proposed move to Fenerbahce to end a seven-and-a-half year stay at the Emirates.
Ozil has been out of favour under Mikel Arteta since last March with his £350,000-per-week contract expiring this summer.
And PA reported that the 32-year-old visited Arsenal’s London Colney training ground to meet with team-mates and bid farewell after a dark ending to his time in north London.
Ozil has since travelled to Turkey to finalise his move to the Istanbul club and undertake a medical for Erol Bulut’s side.
The former Germany international had already suggested a move to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium was imminent after tweeting his initials on Twitter in the club’s famous blue and yellow colours.
READ MORE: Darkness of Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal exit should not overshadow an illuminating career
Ozil could leave the club as a free agent should he refuse to accept an early termination of his contract at the Emirates, but a compromise appears to have been made.
Ozil initially started the first 10 games of the Mikel Arteta era in December 2019, but Ozil has been frozen out since the 1-0 win over West Ham before the coronavirus pandemic forced the league to be suspended.
Arteta opted against including Ozil in Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads, even though both the Spaniard and technical director Edu put the decision down to footballing reasons.
Ozil was criticised in some quarters when he refused to take a pay-cut during the summer, with no football being played and Arsenal looking to balance the books.
He had signed his current deal in January 2018 to become the highest-paid player in the club's history but now looks set to depart on a free.
PA contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments