Arsene Wenger remains hopeful Mesut Ozil will sign a new deal with Arsenal and insists contract talks have not broken down with the Germany international, although they have slowed.
The Germany international’s current deal expires at the end of the season, with the 28-year-old heavily linked with a move away.
Arsenal are believed to have put £275,000-a-week on the table for the attacking midfielder, but his representatives are keen for a deal worth closer to £350,000-a-week.
Reports in Germany claimed that talks had been abandoned since February and that Manchester United are among the clubs ready to sign him should a deal fail to be struck.
It appears increasingly likely that Ozil will leave Arsenal on a free transfer and Wenger admitted that talks had been put on hold.
But with time running out on his deal, Wenger insists there’s still a chance he will stay.
Yes, of course [I am hopeful],’ he said ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Koln.
‘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.’
MORE : Arsene Wenger adds seven new youngsters to Arsenal’s Europa League squad
Share this with