Arsenal to receive 'serious' bid for Mesut Ozil next summer - agent

FENERBAHCE are 'serious' about wanting to sign Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, according to his agent.

Ozil became Arsenal's record signing when he joined from Real Madrid in 2013 for £42.5million.

The 26-year-old has flattered to deceive at times, despite winning two FA Cup trophies during his time at the Emirates.

And after learning of Fenerbahce's interest earlier in the year, Ozil admitted he would welcome a move to Istanbul at some point in his career.

He was quoted as saying in July: "In the future I want to wear a Fenerbahce shirt. It would be an honour. Everyone knows I am a Fenerbahce fan."

Fenerbahce to accelerate Mesut Ozil interest at the end of the season

His agent believes the Turkish giants could make a move for the German World Cup winner as early as next summer.

Erkut Sogut told Vatan: "Fenerbahce are serious but it all depends on what answer Arsenal give. It will all become clear at the end of the season."

But Fenerbahce are likely to fail in their pursuit as Arsene Wenger has no desire to sell the former Schalke and Werder Breman star.

In response to Juventus' interest in the summer, the Gunners boss said: "Ozil is our player, will remain our player and wants to remain our player."

Arsenal fans react on Twitter to Mesut Ozil's performance as a striker

Arsenal fans felt Mesut Ozil offered more than Olivier Giroud did after filling in for the striker against Dinamo Zagreb.

Olivier Giroud's sending off prompted Arsene Wenger to experiment as he tried to find a way for Arsenal recover against Dinamo Zagreb.

Arsenal ended up losing 2-1, becoming the third English side to suffer defeat in their opening Champions League game.

Theo Walcott, on as a substitute, scored Arsenal's goal in the second half, but it was Mesut Ozil who took up more of a central forward role.

The German was a lively presence in attack, and actually offered the movement Olivier Giroud is unable to.

Ozil was playing in a position he is unaccustomed to for Arsenal, but has done so for Germany playing as a 'False Nine'. When Walcott was brought on for Sanchez, he simply slotted in for the Chilean out wide.

His role is not likely one Arsenal are likely to repeat by choice, but given their lack of options up front, it is a possibility they are pushed into doing so again.

Typically when Arsenal suffer a lacklustre defeat in Europe, Ozil is one of the first players to be criticised, but the effort he made in the second half saw him become one of the few players to emerge with any credit from the surprise defeat.

Here is a look at how fans reacted to his display... 

Germany coach Joachim Low tells Mesut Ozil: forget about the Olympics

Germany coach Joachim Loew considers it all but impossible for any of his players to compete both at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics and Euro 2016, saying the fatigue of playing two tournaments in a summer was too much.

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has said he would like to play at the Olympics where teams consist of under-23 players along with some overage players.

But a month before the Olympics in the Brazilian city, World Cup winners Germany are hoping to compete at the Euro 2016 in France.

Loew said on Thursday any such Olympic hopes would have to give way to the Euro.

"Obviously the Olympics are an emotional issue. For me, however, it is unthinkable to play both tournaments," he told reporters, adding that it would require two preparation phases for the player for each tournament as well as the long competitions.

The German club season will also start in the same month of August as the Olympics.

"I think it makes no sense. It would help no one. So it is vastly unlikely (to happen) and priority for us is the Euro," Loew said.

Germany's Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller have also refused to consider the possibility of playing at both events, when asked by reporters, saying the Euros and the World Cups meant more to a footballer than the Olympics.

Germany are in second place in their Euro 2016 qualifying group D on 13 points, one point behind leaders Poland, who they face on Friday. Scotland, Germany' opponents on Monday in Glasgow, are third on 11.

Mesut Ozil says if he is to win Ballon d'Or he must be 'more egotistical' for Arsenal

Mesut Ozil has said before that he is "convinced" he can win the Ballon d'Or and now he has a plan on how to do it.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been the only recipients of the award recognising the best player in Europe since 2007, but Arsenal midfielder Ozil is hopeful he can muscle in.

Speaking earlier in the year he told Sport Bild: "I am convinced that it can happen."

But if it is, he says he must be getting on the score sheet more.

"I have to become more dangerous in front of the goal," he said when asked about winning the accolade.

"I was injured for long spells last season, and scored only five in 32 competitive games. I want to improve this. To achieve it, I have to be a bit more egotistical."

 

Ozil is yet to score this season, but missed Arsenal's most recent game - a 1-0 win over Newcastle - through injury. However, the World Cup winner is in contention to be ready for Germany's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Poland on Friday and Scotland next week.