Arsenal transfer news: 2 players set for exits & Buendia update

The Gunners appear set to make their first moves of the January transfer window amid new developments regarding three players.

Mesut Ozil is set to sign a contract with Fenerbahce on Monday, claims the renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who also claims Arsenal are trying to offload Sokratis Papastathopoulos as well.

Should Romano’s claims be correct, the Ozil saga will finally end next week. The German has been out of favor at Arsenal since March 2020, having failed to make a single appearance in any competition.

But Ozil, whose contract expires at the end of the season, confirmed his desire to play for Fenerbahce in a Twitter Q&A on Monday amid reports of a potential January move to the Turkish club. No details have been released yet, although Romano expects a deal to go through soon.

Talks have been ongoing between the player and club over ending his £350,000-a-week contract six months early.

The Italian journalist also revealed contact has been made between Arsenal and Emi Buendia’s agent.

Mesut Özil is expected to sign his contract as new Fenerbahçe player on Monday. Arsenal are now planning to sell also Papastathopoulos in the coming days, then they’ll work on new signings. Emi Buendia: contacts with his agent but no official bid from #AFC, as of today. ⚪️🔴

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2021

“Mesut Özil is expected to sign his contract as new Fenerbahçe player on Monday,” Romano wrote on Twitter.

“Arsenal are now planning to sell also Papastathopoulos in the coming days, then they’ll work on new signings. Emi Buendia: contacts with his agent but no official bid from #AFC, as of today.”

Buendia, of course, has been on Arsenal’s radar since his impressive debut campaign in the Premier League last season. The Argentine has continued to impress this term, despite playing in the Championship after Norwich City’s relegation.

There have been rumors that Arsenal could offer Norwich a player-plus-cash deal for the 24-year-old involving Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson.