Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has recently revealed he turned down a lucrative offer to play in the Chinese Super League.
Ozil has been linked with an exit from Arsenal. The German playmaker’s contract with the club is due to expire in 2018 and the two parties still yet to agree on a new deal.
The 28-year-old has told Goal that that money does not mean too much to him when it comes to football, having turned down a big offer from China in the past.
“Money never played a big role for me in football,” he said.
“I play football because I love it. Sure, you do not earn peanuts and the offer from China was tempting and interesting.
“But as I said: Money is not everything. I want to win titles and I have my goals I want to achieve. That is more important than money. That’s why I said from the beginning that China is not an option for me.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s contract ends in two months but he has yet to announce whether he remain at the club.
But Ozil says his own Arsenal future is not entirely tied in with that of Wenger.
“It does not only depend on the manager,” he said. “Of course he was the one who convinced me to join Arsenal and he was the main factor for me to come here. He is a very experienced coach who made Arsenal one of the best clubs in the world.
“Of course he was the one who convinced me to join Arsenal and he was the main factor for me to come here. He is a very experienced coach who made Arsenal one of the best clubs in the world.”
“You must have respect for him because he is a great manager. But I do not decide whether the manager stays or not. What’s important for me is that we develop as a team and reach our goals.”
Ozil made 38 appearances so far for Arsenal this season, registering 11 goals and 9 assists.