Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Mesut Ozil and Naby Keita

Mesut Ozil could be in for a move to Fenerbahce in the foreseeable future after a Turkish journalist claimed the Arsenal midfielder held talks with the Super Lig giants. Elsewhere, Red Bull Leipzig star Naby Keita has said the Gunners were interested in his services this summer.

Emre Sarigul of Turkish Football sourced a report from Ahmet Ercanlar of Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, who is described as holding "close ties" to Fenerbahce and said Ozil spent 17 hours in Istanbul during his most recent trip to Turkey.

Per Sarigul, Ercanlar said: "I believe it is very likely that Ozil will wear a Fenerbahce jersey over the next few seasons."

At 28 years of age, the former Real Madrid ace should only now be entering his playing prime, and the official Premier League Twitter account attested to Ozil's significant creative prowess:

Although German by birth, Ozil holds Turkish ancestry and is a practising Muslim, not to mention the fact this isn't the first time links have arisen associating the player with a move to join Fenerbahce.

That being said, Ozil has failed to record an assist in eight Premier League outings this season, and former top-flight midfielder Don Hutchison recently voiced his opinion there are far superior playmakers in England:

After conquering the Bundesliga and La Liga—and becoming a force in the Premier League—Ozil may seek further accomplishments in his career as he ages, and a move to Turkey would represent a personal crusade.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has even hinted he may have a rough-and-ready replacement for Ozil, should he leave, in the form of Alex Iwobi, per Stuart Ballard of the Daily Express:

"

You see, he [Iwobi] is not a typical winger and I think he can play in that [No 10] role.

He turns the game forward, he passes the ball through the lines very well. He has a final ball in him. He is now a little bit, I think he has it all in the locker to pass and give the final ball.

What you want from him now is the finishing, you know. That’s still a little part that is missing in his game. I think he is too nervous at the moment when he has the possibility to finish.

"

Meanwhile, Keita, also a midfielder, has proclaimed Arsenal attempted to land his signature over the summer before he opted for a move to the Bundesliga instead of the Premier League.

The Guinea international impressed at former club Red Bull Salzburg and recently told SportNet that the Gunners were just one of the English powerhouses looking to acquire his talents (h/t TalkSport):

"

Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton were all interested in signing me and Liverpool as well, although I did not speak with their coach. 

I did not want to join a big Champions League club right away. It is too early for that. I want to prove myself in the Bundesliga first now.

"

The 21-year-old recently won major plaudits after scoring twice in Leipzig's 3-1 victory over Werder Bremen, and he appeared content in his current setting for the time being after the results, via the official Bundesliga Twitter account:

Wenger added one midfield weapon to his ranks in the shape of former Borussia Monchengladbach general Granit Xhaka, but he could regret missing out on Keita, who has three goals in six league games this season.

Keita moved to Leipzig for the affordable fee of £13 million, and one can only admire the patience that's seen a player willing to bide his time reap the rewards of his summer decision.