Spanish giants Barcelona are reportedly planning a part-exchange deal to sign Mesut Ozil during the winter transfer window. The Germany international has just seven months left on his present Arsenal deal, and the Gunners are mulling over a proposed sale in the New Year.
According to Don Balon, the Catalan giants have identified Ozil as the prime attacking target for January after failing with an approach for Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho in the summer. Ernesto Valverde’s were hot on the trail of the Brazil international in August, but they ultimately had three bids turned down for the Reds playmaker.
Ozil has stalled on contractual negotiations with the Gunners since early March, and he looks more and more likely to leave the Emirates with his deal nearing its end. Moreover, the World Cup winner is deemed a target for arch-rivals Manchester United next summer, and this could potentially urge the Gunners to offload him to a club overseas this winter.
As per Don Balon, Barcelona are prepared to offer Andre Gomes as a makeweight as they seek to seal a cut-price deal for Ozil. The report adds that the German playmaker is now their leading target ahead of Coutinho as he could be available for a bargain price of just around £20m.
Ozil has had his fair share of criticism during his time at the Emirates, but he still comes up with standout performances including one in the 2-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur. The German put in a shift in the attacking and defending department over the weekend, and they are still question marks over why he can’t maintain a similar showing in the long-run.
The attacker tends to bring the best of himself while playing for Joachim Loew’s Germany, and a move to Barcelona could benefit him ideally, although it will come as a loss for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Whether Arsenal would prefer signing Gomes is another question as they currently have the likes of Jack Wilshere, Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin, who can play backup to Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka in central midfield.
Image – AP
