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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
John Cross

Arsenal to reopen Mesut Ozil pay-off talks as transfer to MLS gains traction

Arsenal will re-open talks with Mesut Ozil about a pay-off - which could pave the way for a move to Major League Soccer.

Ozil, who is 32 next week and the club’s highest earner on £350,000-a-week, has been left out of Arsena's Europa League squad, as reported by Mirror Sport on Wednesday.

Arsenal tried to reach an agreement before the transfer window shut, but Ozil did not want to leave and later went on a PR offensive by offering to pay the wages of club mascot Gunnersaurus knowing he would be snubbed.

But Arsenal hope they can negotiate a settlement which could see World Cup winner Ozil leave in January with a move to the United States his most likely destination.

There is an acceptance that Ozil is unlikely to leave before then despite being left out in the cold and out of the Europa League squad with the same almost certain to happen with the Premier League squad which is named on October 20.

Arsenal will re-open talks with Mesut Ozil about a pay-off (REUTERS)

Ozil would find it impossible to find another top club before January, could not play because the transfer window is shut and coronavirus restrictions mean he will also find it difficult to train as clubs are only allowed so many players in their “bubble.”

Arsenal have made various offers but Ozil wants his contract paid up and is frustrated at not being given a chance ever since refusing to take a pay cut during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Ozil deal has turned into a nightmare for Arsenal and yet fans lauded it as a brilliant piece of business when he re-signed in January 2018 - and now it has cost them millions.

Ozil is 32 next week and the club’s highest earner on £350,000-a-week (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Greek defender Sokratis was also left out but suggestions that Arsenal blocked any moves on deadline day are wide of the mark as they were open to letting him go and now he is also stuck.

Willian Saliba, 19, has also been left out of the UEFA squad and is likely to be loaned to a Championship club with Brentford among those interested in the French defender who joined for £27m last summer.

Has Mesut Ozil played his last game for Arsenal? Have your say here.

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