Arsene Wenger is confident that Mesut Ozil will sign a new contract at Arsenal, although he has admitted that the Gunners will need to dig deep into their coffers to keep the German superstar.
There has been constant speculation regarding Ozil’s contract in recent weeks. Earlier in the season, it was reported that contract talks between the German international and Arsenal had stalled. German newspaper Bild even went as far as to claim that Ozil wished to return to Real Madrid, having made a £42.5 million move to Arsenal from the Spanish giants in 2013, smashing the London club’s transfer record.
Thankfully for the Gunners, it now appears that negotiations are at an advanced stage, according to The Telegraph.
Wenger said: “I don’t think he needs convincing. He wants to stay here. But if you have a good bank, call me.
“It’s not just money. Arsenal can win titles of course. But that’s what we have to show. We are in a league where Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea everybody fights and you cannot guarantee that to anybody.
“We keep that (negotiations) discreet. At due time we will come out with that. We want to keep our best players, of course. But the more I say that, the more he is in a stronger position!”
The news will come as a source of relief to Arsenal fans, as their inability to challenge for major honours in recent years has led to speculation that both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will seek moves away from the club. The German is a huge fan favourite at the Emirates, and is an integral member of their first-team squad.
Ozil, who celebrated his 28th birthday by scoring the winning goal on the day that Arsenal ran out 3-2 victors against Swansea, is already the club’s highest earner, currently on a £140,000-a-week deal which expires in 2018, and will reportedly sign a new contract worth more than £200,000-a-week.
Arsenal, who have no longer been forced to sell their key players for financial reasons, will now look to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin – who has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move back to former club Barcelona.
