Turkish champions Besiktas are interested in signing Mesut Ozil and are the only side linked with the German this summer despite his contract having less than a year to run.

• Besiktas want a marquee signing
• Ozil has 12 months on his current Arsenal contract
• The financial side could be difficult for Besiktas

Of all the players with 12 months remaining on their Arsenal contracts, speculation has been the quietest about Mesut Ozil. That could be an indication that nobody is seriously interested. Or it could mean that Ozil will stay at Arsenal.

However, newspaper Hurriyet have claimed Besiktas want Ozil and are keen to make the playmaker their marquee signing as a response to the high-profile exits this summer. The Turkish giants are believed to have spoken to his agent Dr Erkut Sogut.

Besiktas are hoping Ozil would be open to a move due to his Turkish heritage. The player himself has expressed interest in playing in Turkey one day. However, the financial side of the deal could be difficult as Arsenal would have no intention of selling cheap, nor would Ozil’s wage demands come down.

Besiktas trying to sign him for free in six months’ time seems a more likely scenario.