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Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil ‘offered to Juventus on loan’ with star’s exit looming near

Arsenal have reportedly offered exiled midfielder Mesut Ozil to Juventus on loan so he looks most likely to sit out the final six months of his Arsenal contract on the sidelines unless he can orchestrate a switch elsewhere next month.

Ozil’s contract runs out at the end of the season and his agent has continually insisted he will not be leaving the Gunners before his deal expires. However, it now looks like the Gunners are fine with letting Ozil leave the club for nothing in January in order to slash their wage bill.

According to Tuttosport, both clubs have been in contact over a potential deal, with Arsenal reported as being willing to subsidise some of Ozil’s £350,000-per-week wages the loan deal materialize, with the report claiming it could even be an even split down the middle, with Ozil’s representative, Dr Erkut Sogut, working to drive the price down in order to get his client back on the field as soon as possible.

It had earlier looked unlikely that Ozil would leave Arsenal in January, even on a free transfer, as he still stands to earn more than eight million in wages before tax – a figure definitely more than what he would be getting elsewhere.

Also by holding out on a move, Ozil widens the net of potential suitors once his contract expires on June 30.

A loan switch to Juve could therefore be the most amicable to suit all parties, with the Italian club able to acquire Ozil’s services for the next six months on a fraction of his current salary, while he would still be free to move on in the summer.

Arsenal’s willingness to financially support a loan is key to any agreement, but with Ozil currently sitting on the sidelines, recouping any cash would be a bonus.

As for Arteta, pressure is eased off regarding having to mull over recalling Ozil to be reinstated into the squad as the win over Chelsea on Boxing Day has reduced the clamour for Ozil reinstatement in the Arsenal first team.

For what it may be worth, Mikel Arteta seems to have no interest in bringing Ozil back into the fold and risk bringing division the dressing room.

Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia