Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is said to have attracted interest from Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr.
Reports in Turkey claimed on Monday that the Riyadh club are preparing an offer of around $20 million (Dh73.5m) per year in wages for Ozil, although the German midfielder recently said he would remain at the north London club. Ozil is believed to have interest also from Qatar.
The former Real Madrid star, 31, is understood to still be Arsenal’s highest-paid player, with his weekly wages reported to be £350,000 (Dh1.7m). Despite that, he did not feature for manager Mikel Arteta following the 2019/20 Premier League’s restart in June. His contract with Arsenal runs until next year.
Ozil attracted heavy criticism this year by refusing to follow his teammates in taking a pay-cut during lockdown, but told The Athletic afterwards that his current deal "should be respected by everyone", implying he would stay.
Nine-time domestic champions, Nassr are looking to strengthen their squad having this week relinquished the Saudi Pro League title to Al Hilal. The capital club sit six points behind their city rivals with two rounds to go, but lost the crown given their inferior head-to-head record.
Nassr’s most notable foreign players include former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones and former Leicester City midfielder Ahmed Musa.
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs