Former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has been keeping himself fit in the gym despite his continued suspension by Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The German midfielder has been out of contention for the Super Lig side since mid-March after an alleged argument with interim boss Ismail Karta during a clash with Konyaspor. He has not appeared for the club in a competitive sense since.
Reports had previously suggested that Fenerbahce were in the process of terminating Ozil’s deal at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium despite still having two years left to run but as it stands, he remains an employee of the club.
Whilst it appears unlikely that the 33-year-old will be back in action any time soon - club president Ali Koc confirming that there is currently no plan to reintegrate the midfielder into first-team plans - Ozil appears keen to stay fit should the call come at any point in the future. He took to his Instagram story with a video showing him alongside Ozan Tufan hard at work in the gym.
The Turkish midfielder was also suspended by Fenerbahce having endured a frustrating loan spell with Watford during the first-half of the campaign. Ozil also hinted that he would be happy to represent the club once more with blue and yellow heart emojis - the club colours of the 19-time Turkish champions.
Ahead of his suspension, the midfielder was actually in the midst of a very promising campaign. He had scored nine goals from 26 appearances - that coming after a slow start to life in Istanbul having failed to net in any of his opening 11 games.
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Ozil was immediately struck with injury problems following his mid-season arrival from Arsenal - his contract at the Emirates Stadium being cancelled due to an uneasy relationship with current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. Amid the decision to suspend him, the former Real Madrid man was linked with the likes of Hull City and Inter Miami.
However, his agent Erkut Sogut claimed that Ozil has no aspirations on leaving Fenerbahce. Speaking to Fanatik last month, he said: “I say this clearly here. Mesut will not go anywhere, and he certainly has no plans to leave.
“He will continue here as a Fenerbahce player for two more years until the end of his contract. He signed Fenerbahce for three-and-a-half years, six months of which he played for free.
“From January to the end of the season, he didn't even make any money. Mesut did not go out and denigrate anyone. What happened there will stay there. If his punishment comes, it will be taken and it will end.”
Fenerbahce do not appear to have missed the 92-time German international since the decision was taken to suspend him. They have won each of their last four league games, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.
Despite that form, they look highly unlikely to be claiming the title come the end of the season. They trail Trabzonspor by 11 points with just four matches of the campaign remaining.
