Report: Juventus offered Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil five times this year

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Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has told The Arsenal Lounge that Arsenal have offered Mesut Ozil to Italian champions Juventus five times over the course of the past 12 months – but the German has since remained at The Emirates.

Ozil, 32, is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the season having entered the final year of his contract. He has been left out of Arsenal’s 25-man Premier League squad and the list of players allowed to play in the Europa League.

It seems as if Ozil has played his last game for Arsenal and although he can be registered again in January, that remains unlikely. It will see Ozil end his eight-year spell in north London, in which he has played a whopping 245 times for the Gunners.

A move to Juventus looks unlikely, though. That is because Romano has claimed he has spoken to Juventus’ board and claimed that Ozil has been presented to Juve on four or five occasions – but the Old Lady have never wanted to sign the playmaker.

“Many times he has been offered to Italian clubs, and I was speaking to the board of Juventus, and they said they have been offered him four or five times in the last year but they never wanted him,” Romano said.

TBR’s view – Where can Ozil expect to be play his football next season?

Realistically, Italian football is probably the only of Europe’s top five leagues that still suits Ozil. A slower, smaller tempo that is more focused on possession-based sides trying to break a low block is more common – perfect for Ozil.

Following Barcelona’s example, Spain are more versed in terms of high press while Germany’s tempo is higher than most. Ozil has been ostracised at Arsenal because he simply does not fit in a side that press high and work hard.

The 92-time Germany international needs to consider something new if he cannot find a new club in Italy. The MLS continue to be linked with bringing Ozil to the States – such as DC United. Fourth-placed Juventus, though, are unlikely to buy him.