Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are still in negotiations with German star Mesut Ozil over a proposed new deal.

The 29-year-old has less than a year remaining on his current deal, and will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs in January over a free transfer in the summer.

It is believed that Arsenal have already offered Ozil around £275,000-a-week, but that offer is said to be around the mark that Barcelona and Manchester United wish to offer.

However, Wenger is adamant that negotiations continue.

“Negotiations are always going on with everybody. Is it two years to go? One year to go? Three months to go? The door is always open and for the rest I cannot tell you much more,” said Wenger.

“I said that many times (we want to keep Ozil and Sanchez) and that’s all we can say.

“I don’t want to talk about that (negotiations) because the best way to deal with these sort of things is to keep it discreet as possible.”

Wenger also spoke out about the future of striker Olivier Giroud, a player he insists will stay at the club beyond January.

“He is a very important player and I have big respect for Olivier Giroud, and if you look at his career since he came here look how many French caps he’s got since he has been at Arsenal, he has not wasted his time,” he added.

“I can understand the frustration of every player that doesn’t play, but that’s part of the job when you go to a big club.

“No, he is not a sub for me, he is a regular player, but I have plenty of good strikers and you cannot play all of them together.

“I speak to all of my players, but it’s very difficult to speak about what we talk about openly. Yes, you (the press) would love that! You know enough already!

“First of all he has played many games, much more than people speak about. He has played more minutes since the start of the season than (Alexandre) Lacazette. That is not always well known.

“When you are at a big club you have many big strikers and nobody can guarantee that you will play. Personally I want him to stay until the end of the season and then we will see.”
[Quotes sourced via the Mirror]