Arsenal
Offer Made For Arsenal Star As Barcelona Eye Alternative To Liverpool’s Coutinho
Barcelona have made an offer for Mesut Ozil after identifying the Arsenal playmaker as a cheaper alternative to Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho
The transfer window may be closed but clubs are still working hard ahead of January and next summer so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Barcelona are linked with Mesut Ozil…
Barcelona have made a player-plus-cash swap deal offer for Mesut Ozil after identifying the Arsenal playmaker as a cheaper alternative to Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, according to the Daily Star.
Barca made strong attempts to land Coutinho in the summer and have been tipped to renew their interest ahead of the January transfer window after Liverpool refused to sell.
However, with any potential deal expected to cost in excess of £130m the Daily Star are citing reports coming out of Spain that claim the Catalans have now turned their attention to Ozil.
The newspaper says Don Balon believe Barca are now trying to sign Ozil and have offered Arsenal a player-plus-cash deal involving midfielder Andre Gomes in exchange for the playmakers signature.
Ozil is in the final year of his contract and has so far refused to sign an extension meaning Arsenal may decide to cash-in this winter rather than risk losing one of their key men for nothing at the end of the season.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Ozil in recent weeks but I’m sure the Gunners would prefer to see the attacker move abroad and a switch to the Nou Camp could now be on the cards.
The report indicates that Barca are willing to pay around £20m in addition to offering Gomes – who has struggled to hold down a regular first team place since joining the club from Valencia in 2016.
The Portuguese international was highly rated before moving to the Catalan giants so he could welcome a fresh start here in England and Arsenal could do with midfield reinforcements with Jack Wilshere’s future at the club in doubt.
It remains to be seen whether Ozil would be willing to join Barca given his ties with former club Real Madrid but I’m sure it would be a difficult move to turn down if a deal could be agreed.
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The news will come as a welcome boost to Liverpool as they desperately try and keep Coutinho away from Barcelona’s clutches so no doubt Jurgen Klopp will be praying Arsenal agree to sell Ozil over the coming months.
