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What's the story?
Arsene Wenger's chances of retaining Mesut Ozil's services have looked bleak for a while now. The German international has made no secret of his desire to leave the club, and has expressed an interest in joining Manchester United. A move to Manchester would give Ozil a chance to link up with ex-boss Jose Mourinho, who has publicly stated his admiration of the player.
It also finally seems like Wenger has come to terms with the prospect of losing one of his team's star players, as Arsenal have begun to look for replacements for the wantaway Ozil. Be?ikta? midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup has been short-listed as a potential contender for the role, with Arsenal reportedly willing to shell out £10m to bring him back to the Emirates in Januarya
In case you didn't know
Ozyakup was an Arsenal player for four years and was an integral part of a youth team that won back-to-back Academy Premier Leagues as well as the 2008-2009 FA Youth Cup. However, his stint in the Arsenal senior team was limited to just a couple of appearances in the League Cup in 2011-12.
Arsenal sold Ozyakup to the Turkish giants for a measly sum of £400,000 in 2012, four years after they acquired him from AZ Alkmaar.
Ozyakup is in the last year of his contract at Be?ikta?, and the club is currently locked in negotiations with him and his representatives. While Be?ikta? has agreed terms with the player, he is yet to sign a contract and Arsenal have been closely monitoring the situation.
The heart of the matter
Oguzhan Ozyakup has enjoyed domestic success in Turkey with Be?ikta? since leaving the Gunners in 2012, winning the 2015-16 and 2016-17 Turkish Süper Lig titles with the club. He has established himself as a regular first-team player and has scored 27 goals and assisted 43 times in 193 appearances.
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Author's Take
Replacing Mesut Ozil will be one of Arsenal's priorities after his departure, and this won't go unnoticed by Be?ikta?. Be?ikta? could negotiate a good deal for themselves, and cash in on the Turkish star, instead of risking the chance of losing him as a free agent.
Ozyakup only appeared in Arsenal colours twice before he was let go, and the 25-year-old midfielder definitely has unresolved business at the Emirates.
