Arsenal will look to complete the sales of Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopolous before signing a midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The famed Italian journalist has claimed that the Gunners desperately need to sell players before they can sign some, hence why there is no advanced moves for any player.
He also believes that the Gunners tried to sign Dominik Szoboszlai before the Hungarian made his move to Red Bull Leipzig.
Romano said: “But Arsenal are going to try to sell other players, Sokratis first and then immediately after, Mesut Ozil.” (via Que Golazo podcast)
Do Arsenal need to sign a creative midfielder in the January transfer window?
Yes
No
Whilst the exit of Sokratis should be plain sailing, I can’t say the same for Mesut Ozil, whose huge wages could be a massive stumbling block.
I can’t imagine many clubs will be lining up around the block to offer the 32-year-old the same wages that he is earning at the Emirates Stadium. That being said, I don’t think Ozil will be looking to earn any less than what he’s on right now.
The only way Arsenal seem to be able to get rid of the playmaker will be to pay part of his salary, in which case they’re still spending money on a player, who the club are desperate to get rid of. Recent reports have claimed that Fenerbache are offering to pay just £52k-p/w of the ace’s wages, showing how little desire their is to match his monster contract.
This saga has been one big mess. Offering Ozil such a vast amount of money was always the wrong move in the first place. However, freezing him out and leaving a player of his quality is an equally stupid move.
The German is one of the best playmakers in the world and has been for Arsenal during the course of his seven-year stay at the club.
Both Sokratis and Ozil should be surplus to requirements, however, the club’s handling of the latter has been poor and is setting them back quite a bit of money, an issue they can only blame themselves for.
In other news, Arsenal are reviving their interest in this Ligue 1 player.
