TMJ rejects Ozil to JDT rumours

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) said his club never planned to sign former Germany international Mesut Ozil.

The 34-year-old is now playing for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir, whom he joined as a free agent from Fenerbahce after his contract was mutually terminated.

Prior to that, he spent almost eight years at Arsenal, where he was excluded from the Gunners' 25-man Premier League squad in his final season.

Due to Ozil's recent history, questions were raised about his temperament, which was pointed out by the Crown Prince of Johor during an open session with Southern Tigers fans on Tuesday.

"I feel I should not spend the club's money on a player who will not run to defend on the pitch," said TMJ.

"In Johor, there is no superstar. In Johor, there are only players who give full commitment and are willing to die [on the pitch] for each other."

At the same time, TMJ revealed he would prefer to sign Sevilla attacker Papu Gomez instead.

“I really don’t know where the [Ozil] story came about, but if it’s Papu Gomez, if he can give me a commitment and a reasonable price, God willing. But Mesut Ozil was never in my plans."