Mesut Özil appears to be closing in on a January transfer to Fenerbahce, though there are still details to iron out first.

The Turkish media are already certain that the deal is happening. BeIN SPORTS reporter Mert Yuksektepe is among those to claim it’s done, with Özil signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with Fenerbahce.

Back in England, Football.London report that Özil hasn’t signed with any club just yet. He’s planning to hold talks with his agent today (Friday) to make a decision once he’s reviewed his options.

If he picks Fenerbahce, it’s expected to be a loan move at first, turning into a permanent transfer in June.

Mesut Ozil transfer in crucial phase

Sky Germany report that Özil’s transfer to Fenerbahce is in the crucial phase. They claim it’s not even certain if the player will move in January or in the summer, despite the Turkish club’s desire to bring him in immediately.

Sky add that Fenerbahce are in discussions with Arsenal over whether a move in the winter window is possible, and whether the Gunners are willing to cover part of Özil’s salary until June. If not, the 32-year-old is happy to stay in London until then.

Fenerbahce manager on Mesut Ozil

Fenerbahce manager Erol Bulut spoke on the situation on Thursday, saying: “Mesut Özil’s situation will become clear in the coming days. Mesut’s name is very common. It is not possible for me to make a comment before he comes.”

Fabrizio Romano reports that Fenerbahce are in talks to sign Özil, with negotiations ongoing around his salary. Arsenal are hoping for a conclusion in the coming days.

David Ornstein, speaking on Sky Sports News, claimed there was a lot of work to be done in negotiations. However, he added: “I think there’s a good chance that Özil will join Fenerbahçe this month.”

Mesut Ozil has reportedly received a ‘serious’ offer from DC United as the Washington side continue their efforts to sign the German who was in talks over an artisan coffee shop at their home stadium.

by Lee Hurley

Back in 2019, Mesut Ozil’s reps met with DC United in a move that was originally rumoured to be about a winter transfer, turned out to be about coffee but might end up with the Americans trying to sign the German anyway.

It was reported in 2019 by Steven Goff, the David Ornstein of DC United, that Mesut Ozil’s reps were set to meet with DC United.

It wasn’t long before the story became DC United inquiring about a move in the winter window as they looked to replace Wayne Rooney. However, Ozil’s reps were also there to discuss the opening of a branch of 39 Steps Coffee Haus, a coffee chain owned by the German.

One was set to open at Audi Field, home of DC United, towards the end of 2019.

“Our expectations are to open the coffee shop in 2019 and hopefully before the season ends sometime in October,” DC United senior vice president of business Sam Porter told Pro Soccer USA. “Sometimes these things take longer, but that is our hope.”

That’s not to say DC United didn’t want to sign Ozil, they apparently did then and still do now, but as I said last year, it was a long-shot then, and, if it were to happen, it would not be before next summer, which is now the summer that’s just gone.

Mesut Ozil was said to be against a move to the club in 2019 but I thought at the time his situation in London with his security could change his mind. Little did I know how things would pan out for him at Arsenal over the next 18 months.

Arsenal are of course gaging to selling the German – if they can find someone who is willing to pay his wages before his contract runs out. I didn’t think that would be a club like DC United until I spoke to one of their hardcore (but sensible) fans who seemed to think it might be possible.

Ozil, for his part, wasn’t intending on going anywhere until his Arsenal contract runs out, despite the Daily Mail claiming in December that DC United have made him an offer while he also mulls over January moves to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Now, however, Chris Wheatley is saying that the player is indeed in negotiations:

https://twitter.com/ChrisWheatley_/status/1346552954480979969?s=09

Fenerbahce also want him but, as usual, can’t afford him. They can never afford any Arsenal players they’re linked with, like David Ospina, for instance. Ozil will also collect a loyalty bonus should he stay at the club until the summer.

Ozil, however, believes he still has what it takes to play for a top side.

39 Steps

The name of Mesut Ozil’s coffee empire, according to its Twitter account, comes from the fact “There are 39 steps from bean on the bush to the cup in your hand and we guide every one. This is artisan coffee by obsessives, for obsessives.”

There are currently three in London – one in Soho, another in Woolwich and a third in Knightsbridge.

They also have a coffee roasters, an app, and a much larger buisness than I was expecting to find given I’d never even heard about it until today.

You can visit their website here and find out more if you’re so inclined.