Mesut Ozil’s contract at Fenerbahce has been ripped up after he was frozen out of the first-team, according to reports, leaving him as a free agent this summer.
Former Arsenal midfielder Ozil had not featured for the Turkish Super Lig side since March 20 after he was excluded from the squad following a row over his fitness.
That bust-up came with interim head coach Ismail Kartal, and there has been no way back in for him under new manager Jorge Jesus, who has left him out of his squad.
NTVSpor have claimed that Ozil has not been ‘pardoned’ after his troubles from the previous campaign, with the superstar to miss out on their pre-season sessions.
The same outlet has added that his departure is by mutual agreement, however.
Ozil played 36 matches for Fenerbahce, scoring nine goals and assisting three.
The 33-year-old had left Arsenal in January 2021 to make the switch to Turkey, but his spell fell flat and resulted in him training alone after being exiled.
Earlier this summer, Ozil insisted he was keen to still ‘contribute’ to the club despite the uncertainty lingering over his future. He also unfollowed them on social media.
Boss Jesus said the creative spark would not play for his side again, and the revelation today that he has walked away will come as no surprise to supporters.
‘He had his time, his space,’ Jesus said in a press conference. ‘He has a beautiful history in Turkey, no one can take it away from him.
‘He is a well-known player around the world. But I will follow exactly what was the end of the Ozil era. The most important thing here is Fenerbahce and it is from there that I build my ideas and the players who come to work with me.’
Ozil’s agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, had insisted that the attacker would not leave the club, having only just moved into his custom-built ‘dream home’ in Turkey.
‘He’s more mature now, more relaxed in that sense,’ Sogut told Sportsmail.
‘He has two more years on his contract, he wants to stay at Fenerbahce, he doesn’t want to go anywhere.
Ozil had joined the club in January 2021 after leaving Arsenal following his deal ending early
‘He was always on and off [the field]. Mesut wants 90 minutes, like any player.
‘The coach didn’t give him that much time, they had an argument and fell out. But he’s professional, he knows what’s happening and he’s not stupid.’
However, the playmaker is said to be looking to keep his career alive by staying in the same country, with reports indicating that he is in contact with Medipol Basaksehir.
