FROZEN: Arsenal Renew Bid To Offload Mesut Ozil After Failing To Sell Him

BY SHIFTMEDIA REPORTER

LONDON|SHIFTMEDIA|Arsenal are set to renew their efforts to get rid of Mesut Ozil having failed to sell him during the summer transfer window.

The playmaker, who earns £350,000-a-week, has been frozen out at Arsenal by manager Mikel Arteta, with his most recent Gunners appearance coming in a 1-0 defeat of West Ham in March.

He has not made a matchday squad so far this season as the club failed to offload him during the international summer transfer window.

Arsenal hope to either sell Ozil when the transfer window reopens in January, or they plan to pay him off so his contract is cancelled before its scheduled expiration next summer.

But Ozil on Tuesday made a smart move which gives him power in negotiations, as he offered to pay Gunnersaurus’ salary at the club.

The official club mascot was made redundant after 27 years of service as part of cost-cutting measures at the Emirates.

But Ozil made a passionate intervention to ensure Gunnersaurus, played by Jerry Quy, stays put.

He tweeted: “I was so sad that Jerry Quy aka our famous & loyal mascot @Gunnersaurus and integral part of our club was being made redundant after 27 years.

“As such, I’m offering to reimburse @Arsenal with the full salary of our big green guy as long as I will be an Arsenal player.

“So Jerry can continue his job that he loves so much. #JusticeForGunnersaurus #M1Ö #YaGunnersYa.”

In a brief response, an Arsenal spokesman said: “Gunnersaurus is not extinct and will return to action when fans are allowed back at matches.”

Despite his first-team exile, Ozil is adamant he will not leave until his contract expires next year.

In August, he said: “My position is clear. I’m here through to the last day of our agreement and I’ll give everything I have for this club.

“I’ll decide when I go, not other people. I didn’t sign for two or three years, I signed for four and that should be respected by everyone.

“Things have obviously been difficult but I love Arsenal, I love to work there, I love the people in the club – the real people, those I’ve been with for a long time – and I love London, it’s my home.

“Whatever happened in the last two seasons, I’m happy and very strong mentally. I never give up on anything. I want to help my team and I’ll fight for it. If I’m fit, I know what I can do on the pitch.” (SOURCE/TALKSPORT)