Barcelona surprisingly to offer Arda Turan to Arsenal in exchange for Mesut Ozil
BARCELONA are ready to use Turkish star Arda Turan as bait to tempt Arsenal to sell Mesut Ozil.
Posted Friday, December 01, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk
Barcelona star Arda Turan could be used in an exchange deal with Arsenal's Mesut Ozil
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has insisted the German World Cup winner is not for sale in the January transfer window "unless something unbelievable happens”.
But he is well aware of the huge cost of letting Ozil’s contract run down and losing him for nothing in the summer.
It is understood the Gunners have put a £30m value on Ozil, who Manchester United are said to be interested in.
But Barca hope to persuade Wenger to part with Ozil by offering playmaker Turan in part exchange.
Turan has failed to cement a place at the Nou Camp and been told by coach Ernesto Valverde he does not figure in his plans.
One sticking point though could be Ozil’s sky-high wage demands.
Arsenal are baulking at the £350,000-a-week Ozil wants to stay and Barca are also thought to be unwilling to pay such a high sum for the former Real Madrid star.
Ozil scored once and set up two in the space of four minutes on Wednesday as the Gunners beat Huddersfield 5-0.
And team-mate Olivier Giroud said the club cannot afford to lose him.
"He is our playmaker and a key player,” said the Frenchman.
"We have never questioned him, never. But you cannot be at the top level all the time.
"Sometimes people expect the best from you every single game because you are a top player. I can understand that. But we never had any doubts about his quality, that is for sure.
"He has showed his commitment to Arsenal, of course. He is a top player and we need him.”
Giroud, 31, is expected to play against Manchester United tomorrow after Alexandre Lacazette suffered a groin injury against Huddersfield.
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