• Transfer news

Mesut Ozil opens up on his transfer plans

Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
Getty Images
Advertisement

The German has no plans to retire once his Arsenal contract expires and named his two favored destinations.

Despite having not played football since last March, Mesut Ozil doesn’t plan to hang up his boots. He still wants to play in two more leagues – the Turkish Super Lig and the Major League Soccer.

The former Real Madrid star is out of favor at Arsenal and is expected to leave once his contract expires at the end of the season or in January if a transfer can be agreed upon.

Reports have strongly linked Ozil with a loan move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Although there have been complications, with Arsenal reportedly unwilling to pay his £350,000 weekly salary while he plays in Turkey. MLS club DC United are another rumored contender for the midfielder’s signature.

But while Ozil didn’t provide any definite answer on his January or summer plans in his Twitter Q&A, he confirmed Turkey and the United States are his preferred destinations for his post-Arsenal career.

Asked if he plans to continue his career after leaving Arsenal, the 32-year-old replied: “I definitely will.

There are two countries I want to play football in before I retire: Turkey and USA. If I went to Turkey, I could only go to Fenerbahce.”

Ozil also remarked on his ties to Fenerbahce by stating: “I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan as a kid in Germany.

“Every German-Turkish person supports a Turkish team when they grow up in Germany. And mine was Fenerbahce.

“Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in the country.”

The World Cup winner also weighed in on another big topic – his all-time Arsenal XI.

x