Mesut Ozil’s agent reveals his client rejected a number of lucrative offers from Asian clubs to continue his association with Arsenal.
The German midfielder’s Future was the subject of uncertainty alongside Alexis Sanchez as both the player had demanded a steep rise to their salary which the club refused to accept.
Ozil’s previous contract was scheduled to expire at the end of this season but the Gunners did manage to convince him to put pen to paper to new three year contract while Sanchez went on to join Manchester United in January.
Ozil is currently the highest paid player pocketing around £350,000 a week. The former Real Madrid playmaker was eyed by a number of clubs but Arsenal were reluctant to let him leave and eventually decided to pay him the amount he had been craving for.
Dr Erkut Sogut who happens to be Ozil’s representative said, “We had some really big offers from Asia, there were some crazy offers. But for Mesut, money was by no means the biggest factor.
“Money is definitely one important thing to consider, but people must remember that footballing ability is just one aspect of a contract negotiation. The commercial impact of a footballer is crucial nowadays.
“Mesut has the biggest social media following of any player in the Premier League and I just read that his shirt numbers (sales) were the largest at the club. So, the commercial side is very big with a player like Mesut, who has played in different countries and was the No 10 of the national team, where he won the World Cup.
“His market is worldwide. The club makes money out of these players as well, but it came down to what was in his heart.”
