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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Mesut Ozil in fresh stand-off with Fenerbahce as agent speaks out over ex-Arsenal star’s suspension

Mesut Ozil is stuck in a fresh quagmire with Fenerbahce as the ex-Arsenal star awaits the outcome of a suspension.

Since joining the Turkish club last year, the 33-year-old has often been a first-team regular and was even named captain. But cracks started to appear with concerns over his form and a call from the Fener president to “keep his commercial interests out of” the club.

Ozil was then suspended by the club earlier this month, along with midfielder Ozan Tufan, over an apparent falling out with manager Ismail Kartal.

His agent, Erkut Sogut, has now claimed that the player is keen to rejoin the first-team and does not want to leave.

Sogut told reporters, as quoted by Fanatik: “Mesut did not want to make it difficult in the current environment. Since he does not want to leave Ozan on his own, he trains with him.

“That's what makes sense right now because of the sad events with the coach.

“Such events are always sad. An unpleasant process has begun for both sides. The important thing is to stay calm and wait for the final decision.

“I say this clearly here. Mesut will not go anywhere, and he certainly has no plans to leave. He will continue here as a Fenerbahce player for two more years until the end of his contract.

“He signed Fenerbahce for three-and-a-half years, six months of which he played for free. From January to the end of the season, he didn't even make any money.”

Comparisons have been drawn between Ozil’s current predicament and the German’s stand-off in his final months at Arsenal, but Sogut has called for a speedy resolution.

He added: “Mesut did not go out and denigrate anyone. What happened there will stay there. If his punishment comes, it will be taken and it will end.”

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