Arsenal is sitting pretty in second place in the English Premier League after nine games, behind leader Manchester City on goal difference.
A major part of its success so far this season has been the form of Mesut Ozil, the mercurial Germany midfielder who is out of contract at the end of this season.
Ozil, 28, was the top chance creator in the Premier League this season and has been in fine form, with 18 chances in nine games so far.
The former Real Madrid man's contract talks are "moving along," according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
But that has not stopped interest from other clubs. The latest report comes from Hurriyet, the Turkish newspaper, which claims Ozil met with representatives of Fenerbahce in the summer.
The overwhelming likelihood is that Ozil, whose grandfather moved from Turkey to Germany's industrial city of Gelsenkirchen in the 1970s, will remain at Arsenal. Should he move on, then one of the world's most skilful footballers in the prime of his career would surely attract the attention of Europe's biggest clubs.
Still, Turkish football is enjoying a renaissance, with greater sponsorship money now pouring into the Turkish Superliga, the country's top division. And the lure of moving to the country of his family, where Ozil is worshipped, could be a strong one. Expect Ozil to be an Arsenal player next season, but watch out for a swoop from the Turkish giant.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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