Exclusive: Mesut Ozil in negotiations with MLS side DC United
The 32-year-old hasn't played a competitive match since March and the MLS side are the frontrunners to sign him
JoriPress
Mesut Ozil is in negotiations with MLS side DC United,
The MLS side have offered an 'attractive' package to the former Germany international which includes the expansion of his M10 brand across the United States.
Ozil was not registered by the Gunners for the first half of the Premier League season and has been training away from the first team in recent weeks.
DC United's offer includes the expansion of Ozil's 39 Steps Coffee brand in their Audi Field stadium, his own merchandise line and plans have been drawn up to make him the 'face' of the Washington-based side.
Mesut's agent Dr Erkut Sogut has a close relationship with DC United executive Sam Porter, who was influential in bringing Wayne Rooney to the club from Everton in the summer of 2018.
"Well, we have a large squad. We knew that," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta when asked about his January transfer plans.
"A lot of things that should have happened in the summer we could not accomplish them for different reasons.
"There are a lot of players that are going to go on loan. They are going to leave.
"And that’s the priority at the moment because we cannot sustain the numbers that we have in certain positions. We are looking to do that."
Former Real Madrid star Ozil was left out of both the Premier League and Europa League squads this season with Arteta labelling 'footballing reasons' as the reason behind his decision to exclude the midfielder.
Arsenal have wanted to offload Ozil for the past couple of seasons but the former Germany international has always insisted that he will see out his contract at Emirates Stadium.
JoriPress understands that Ozil turned down the opportunity to leave Arsenal in the summer with the club willing to cover 50 per cent of his salary if he left on loan.
Ozil became the club’s record signing when the Gunners parted with £42.5million to bring him to north London in 2013.
He notched 54 assists in his seven years at Arsenal – with 19 of them coming in a stellar 2015/16 season - and was an integral part of the Arsene Wenger side that won three FA Cup trophies in four seasons.
His last appearance for the Gunners was on March 7 – before football’s lockdown – in a 1-0 victory against West Ham United.
