Mesut Ozil ‘almost certain’ to remain outcast from Arsenal team for second half of season, amid links with Major League Soccer transfer

Mesut Ozil will NOT be returning to the Arsenal first-team in January, according to reports.

Having decided not to pick Ozil for the Gunners’ Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the campaign, manager Mikel Arteta has the opportunity to change things up at the half-way stage.

2

There have been growing calls from supporters to bring the playmaker back into the fold, with many arguing this struggling Arsenal side is missing the playmaker’s creative flair.

However, despite the Gunners’ struggles with the team sitting 15th in the league, reports Arteta will not reverse his decision.

It is claimed Ozil - who hasn't made a first-team appearance since March - is ‘almost certain’ not to be recalled and will instead continue his exile in north London.

The club are keen to offload the midfielder in the January transfer window, but Ozil has insisted he will see out his big-money contract at the Emirates.

But the German can decide his future in the coming months, with the option opening in January to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.

2

And I News also claim he is keen to explore his options as he considers the next chapter of his career, with a money-spinning move to Major League Soccer a distinct possibility.

A move to the United States would suit the player’s goal to further enhance his personal brand, M10, which includes a clothing company, esports team, a coffee franchise and multiple charity projects.

Ozil is said to also be exploring opportunities in Italy, Qatar, Germany and Turkey, but reports have claimed there are opportunities for him to join MLS clubs DC United, LA Galaxy or David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

Interestingly, Ozil has revealed plans to expand his ‘39 Steps’ cafe company into new territories, including the Middle East and a branch at DC United.

While Ozil’s standing in north London may have plummeted over recent years, it’s not the case in other areas of the world.

The former Real Madrid man has more than 100million followers across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and also has 154,000 subscribers on YouTube, where he shares workout sessions, hosts interviews and interests with fans.

It’s also claimed a number of major studios and documentary makers have approached Ozil over making a film for major streaming platforms, so a move to the States - where both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are based - could well factor into his decision.

His love for basketball and the NBA would also surely tempt him to settle across the pond.