Arsenal have reportedly received a huge boost in their bid to commit Mesut Ozil to a new long-term contract, according to reports in the Sun.
The Germany international is presently contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2018, but the club’s hierarchy are hopeful that his situation can be resolved before the end of the month.
Ozil’s contractual status has been the topic of speculation in recent months with Manchester United and Barcelona among the high-profile sides credited with an interest in his services.
Initially, it was thought that the Gunners had given up on keeping hold of the German beyond the summer, but according to The Sun, the club have achieved a stunning breakthrough in regards to the contract extension and the negotiations are ‘very very close’.
Nevertheless, the same source suggests that the failure to do so will tempt Arsene Wenger to cash in on his services as he does not want to release the former Real Madrid man on a free at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old is currently rated at around £15m-20m by the north London giants, and the Gunners boss remains reluctant on selling him to Manchester United and would place priority on transfer interest from overseas clubs.
The attacker has been in good form for the Gunners since the international break with his intention to track back and defend – something which has been noticeable over the past few games.
Ozil presently earns a salary package of around £140,000-a-week, and any potential extension would see him command a significant wage rise on top of a huge signing-on bonus.
