Arsene Wenger claims Mesut Ozil contract talks have NOT broken down and is confident German will sign new deal
Gunners boss did admit the negotiations had slowed down but is sure the midfield maestro will commit his future to the club
ARSENE WENGER has denied that contract talks with Mesut Ozil have broken down and is confident the German will commit his future to Arsenal.
Reports had suggested the former Real Madrid star had stopped talking to club officials on February after negotiations came to a standstill.
But boss Wenger has now claimed talks did slow down but they will start up again soon to try and convince Ozil to pen fresh terms.
Wenger said: “Yes, of course (I am hopeful).
"The contract talks have slowed down a little bit since August 31, because we need a little breather and to focus on the competition. But we will slowly get back into that.”
Talks originally came to a halt amid uncertainty surrounding manager Wenger’s future at he Emirates stadium.
It is understood that Arsenal offered Ozil a £8.1million-per-year contract to stay at the club.
But, amid Paris Saint-Germain‘s interest in under-fire Wenger, all long-term planning was called off.
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Wenger eventually signed a two-year deal to stay in North London.
But reports in Germany are claiming Ozil will snub any offers from the FA Cup holders and leave on a free in the summer.
Asked if he was comfortable with Ozil being in the final 12 months of his contract, Wenger said: “Yes, I think in the future you will see it more and more.
“Why? Because the transfers are so high even for normal players, you will see more and more players going into the final year of the contract.
“No club will want to pay the amount demanded.
"I’m convinced in the next ten years it will become usual.”
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