Mesut Ozil: Agent Explains Why Former Arsenal Star Deserved Huge Salary in North London

Mesut Ozil: Agent Explains Why Former Arsenal Star Deserved Huge Salary in North London

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:05 PM
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  • Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil's agent has explained that the retired German international was more than a player to Arsenal
  • The agent explained that given that Ozil has strong opinions on issues, it made him a greater brand and face of the club
  • Arsenal were on the spot for giving Ozil a huge pay rise in 2018 with the club fearing they might lose the World Cup winner on a free transfer

Mesut Ozil's agent Dr Erkut Sogut has explained why it was necessary for his client to be on a huge salary at Arsenal.

The Gunners made Ozil one of the top earners in the Premier League in 2018 by giving him a 350,000 euros per week contract. The club was afraid of losing their playmaker for free.

Mesut Ozil, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Fenerbache, contract, salary
Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil. Photo by Clive Rose.
Source: Getty Images

Ozil was a too player when he joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013. He went on to help Arsenal win 3 FA Cups with his ingenuity and creativity a major driving force in Arsenal's attack.

He however waned off during his last years in North London and the huge contract proved to be a mistake. Disagreements between him and Mikel Arteta plus constant fitness issues saw Arsenal release him. Turkish club Fenerbache signed him.

Dr Sogut has now explained that Ozil was like a brand to Arsenal and deserved the high salary. As quoted by Goal Balls.

Something people forget with Mesut Ozil is that he is big on the commercial side, not just football. So Mesut was the face in terms of jersey sales. I spoke to so many brands coming to Arsenal who said: ‘Look Arsenal want too much money but can we do with Mesut one-to-one with a sponsorship agreement.
There are only a few exceptional players who become brands. A lot of players in the Premier League are very good players, better than Mesut right now, playing good football but they are not brands. People don’t care about them much. No one really wants to know about them. Mesut is someone with an opinion, someone who polarises, someone with haters and lovers. That’s a perfect brand. That’s what brands want.

Porto confirm the sale of Fabio Viera to Arsenal

Sports Brief had earlier reported that FC Porto have confirmed they have agreed on a deal with Arsenal for Fabio Vieira.

In a statement released on Friday, June 17, the Portuguese giants said the deal was worth 40m euro (£34.2m).

Arsenal are now set to pay an initial 35m euros (£29.9m), and the rest will be paid in add-ons.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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