Fenerbahce have released a statement to downplay links over a move for Mesut Ozil, claiming that signing the Arsenal playmaker would be too expensive.
Ozil, 30, had a disjointed 2018-19 season, losing his place in Unai Emery's starting line-up before eventually winning back his role. Ozil is under contract until 2021 and is happy to stay in London, but Standard Sport understands that Arsenal are open to selling him.
The former Germany international has been linked with an Emirates exit given Arsenal's need to boost their £40million transfer budget and Ozil's £350,000-a-week wages eating into the money available for Emery to revamp his squad.
Ozil has been linked with a move to Fener in recent weeks, but it appears as though Ozil's huge salary is prohibitive for the Turkish giants.
Fener relased a statement on Wednesday which read: "In recent weeks, and especially in the last few days, the necessity of providing information about the claims of Mesut Özil, which is on the agenda, to clarify the situation has arisen.
"Mesut Özil, with his career and stance successfully represents our country abroad, is an important value known with the identity of Fenerbahce.
"However, Fenerbahce does not have an initiative for Mesut Ozil. Under the current economic conditions, such a step is not possible for both parties.
"Our President, Ali Koç, made statements on the subject in the WinWin program held on June 20 and emphasized that this could not be realized in the short term.
"We present it to our community and the public."
Ozil, a former Germany international of Turkish descent, married Amine Gulse in Istanbl in June, with Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan among the wedding party.
