Arsenal yet to open contact talks with German playmaker

Arsenal have yet to open negotiations with Mesut Ozil regarding a new contract, a report from ESPN claims.

The German has only 14 months remaining on his current £350,000-a-week deal and so far, there has been no plans of handing him an extension.

Ozil has been a regular starter since the arrival of Mikel Arteta at the manager but ESPN reports that discussing fresh terms with the midfielder is not a priority for the side.

It is added that the north London club would prefer to part ways with the German instead such that they can get his high wages off their financial books.

Ozil has been recently linked with an exit from the Emirates but his agent Dr Erkut Sogut has said that the German will honour the remaining length of his Gunners deal.

Arsenal are likely to work on a limited budget for the summer. The financial impact of the coronavirus could further hamper their prospects of signing high-profile players.