Sunday, November 17, 2024

Report: Barcelona interested in Ozil as Coutinho alternative

Mesut Ozil’s future with Arsenal is currently in the spotlight as he, along with Alexis Sanchez, nears the end of his current contract.

Earlier this week, Arsene Wenger said the club would have to think about the possibility of January sales, saying of the star duo, “No decision has been made on that front.

“Do we let anyone go in January? We’ll have to think about that to see where we stand with them at the end of December.”

Perhaps emboldened by that comment, El Mundo Deportivo have this morning produced a piece which suggests the German is in spotlight of Barcelona, and could be the target of a January move.

After their failed attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, the 29 year old could be the man to provide the creative spark for the Catalan giants.

If they do decide to go for him, they face the prospect of competing with the German’s former club, Real Madrid.

The contract between Arsenal and the Champions League holders was leaked last year, and it specifically grants Real the chance to enforce a buy back clause – as any potential sale to another Spanish club has to be communicated to them, giving them a 48 hour window to match any bid.

Would Real have him back? Would Barcelona open themselves up to another transfer failure? Would Arsenal even let him go in January?

All these questions and more will be answered in the next exciting edition of TRANSFER SPASM!

Related articles

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

49 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Akkimaniac

Lol

Theodor

Whether he stays or goes, this torture of not knowing needs to end.

Ozenal

Agents playing the game….

Hermitian

He’d certainly be a step up from bloody Rakitic!

420Gonerblayzeit

?? Rakitic is class and IMO very underrated. Scores a fair few goals from midfield, works like a beast. He’s a very well rounded player, and honestly if given the choice I’d take Rakitic over Ozil (at this moment in time).

nullvinho

He’s a quality player. Would rather have him till the end of season to give us max chance of CL qualification, even if we do end up losing him on a free.

phimagen

Unfortunately, I don’t think he will make much of a difference. Especially if AW can get in a Lemar or Fakir as replacement in January. Özil is not very interested anymore and will be even more pissed if not allowed to leave in Jan.

caligunner

Lemar or Fekir? Ok I can see Fekir but Lemar was only affordable because Alexis going for 60M. I can’t see either leaving their current clubs unless its a huge offer.

Tim

I love Ozil but feel like his time at the club has come to a close. Would be fun to watch him team up with Messi and selling him to barca means he won’t have to play against him (outside of cl last 16)

gooner

But he’s just a passenger and according to some he’s not as tough as the phenomenon Charlie Adam !

Cdm995

Hey, if you start comparing players to Charlie Adam, you’re gonna be disappointed. No coincidence that Stokes only clean sheet in their last 10 happened to be the one game this season that he got of the bench. The guy’s a class act.

Bai Blagoi

If we talk about ‘tough’, let’s not forget the almighty Troy “Cojones” Deeney.

Danny

I know it’s unfashionable to talk about passion and that, but let’s face it, we’d all rather players that are willing to put their bodies on the line for our club. I’m sick of him ducking tackles and wafting a majestic leg rather than, you know, making a genuine attempt to win the ball. I hope he goes to barca he’ll do well there, in that league. Our league is different and needs more toughness and bravery to be truly successful.

Gutted.

Am I the only one who’s really gutted that he’s leaving?

Chris

Obviously not

Vonnie

No, the thought of him leaving makes me depressed. His signing was such a magic moment, and so full of hope, and he’s such a magic player and person. The club and manager have really fucked up with this situation, the team is always half baked, Wenger favourites are played while better players sit on the bench, he’s probably as sick as us at the lack of progress at the club, and the lengthening list of players we could have bought but didn’t, not to mention the inspired team selections our manager comes up with for big games. The shiny… Read more »

Man Manny

My main worry at this moment is not Ozil going; it’s the club’s plan for life after him that makes me worried. If they go all out – I mean never-say-die-all-out approach to get Nabil Fekir of Lyon or any other of his ilk, then they’ll be fine. If not, the team will be weaker. This is where our old dear manager comes in. Does he still have the fire for this?

Gooner57

Will he be given the financial backing to buy the standard of players that we need?

adgonner

You look new

Dinobot

This is terrific question. While we arguably have Lemar as replacement for Alexis, who is the heir to the Ozil throne ? Please don’t say Iwobi or Wilshere…we need someone from the outside if we ever are going to compete for something more than the top 4 and occasional FA cup in he near future..

adgonner

He will fuckin thrive there like anything

AndyL

Lots of obvious loopholes in that bit of the agreement: You can do the whole thing on the last day of the window so that they can’t respond by midday deadline, or the buyback being “subject to agreement of the player”.

Realistically, he’s probably going to sign a Bozman in January. On the plus side, he will want to build his form going into the World Cup so he will be motivated to play well during the rest of the season.

BenGman

Managers know how good he is. If he has a bad season with us so he saves himself for the world cup he will still have loads of clubs after him. He wants to stay with Arsenal but not with the manager

Voldermort

He plays very well for Germany regardless of the perception of how he plays here.
He will go to the world cup whatever happens.
Some players have a lot to prove at club level to reach their world cup squads I don’t think ozil is one of them.
Probably more concerned with avoiding injury so I doubt we will see the best of him between now and his inevitable move.

AndyL

Ozil will definitely be selected for Germany, but he will want to be playing well when the tournament starts.

I suspect Alexis will have more of a motivation problem because he will be heading to the beach for his first summer off in about 5 years.

Dial square

No more 50/50 crunching tackles then….

Xanthias

The other loophole is that the clause only applies to “permanent” transfers: so if we loan him for six months, and then Barça buys up his contract on a Bosman, Real Madrid doesn’t have a say either.

BenGman

So, we will let Özil and Sanchez go because we think Jack and Danny are better? Jack also hasn’t signed a new deal and wants to get first team football so he can go to the world cup.

Cygans Parting

I see that the cockney rhyming slang has just kicked in or was that just a froidian slip?

Fuhgedaboudit l

I really would like him to stay & sign an extension with Arsenal, but if he leaves I just don’t want him going to ManU and Maureen. He could be very dangerous feeding Lukaku. If he goes outside the Premier league I can live with that. I say let Alexis go, even if it is to ManC. I just feel he has become a cancer on the team. Haven’t liked him for a long time. Feel he is just too selfish as witnessed by his luke warm celebration when someone on the team other than him scores a goal. BTW,… Read more »

420Gonerblayzeit

I think you’re being a tad harsh on Alexis. I don’t think he’s “tanked” his play, I don’t think that’s quite fair. But I have noticed that he much more readily goes glory hunting. In years past he was always a bit selfish, but managed to still link up with teammates. This year it really looks as if he’s only playing for himself.

Vonnie

He’s always just played for himself, the only difference is that in the past he used to score some goals.

ronaldo

I wish somebody would buy him

Ooooh Santi Cazoooorla

Prob not a popular comment but Ozil isn’t the player we needn’t at Arsenal. HE is a great player but not for a team that struggles themselves. If he played for Bayern, Barca, RM etc, he would prob look even better because they have world class players everywhere. At Arsenal, we have a lot of mediocracy and he doesn’t look his best and Arsenal don’t do very well. He is a bit of a luxury player to a awesome team, something we are not unfortunately.

Monkey nuts

So we need more mediocre players then?

Ooooh Santi Cazoooorla

No, but we need more players that will balance the team out overall, whilst having the qualities to do well on more occasions than not. Again I’m not slagging off Ozil, it’s the club that’s the problem not him. You don’t have to be world class to improve a team is all I would say…! He did well today though ?

420Gonerblayzeit

I remember watching him at RM and several times a game he was creating moments of absolute genius. Even dribbling he was taking more players on, I think because he trusted the squad around him much more. I don’t know when is the last time I see him took on a player one on one. It could be he has a lost a step, but I think it’s more because he doesn’t trust his cover.

Stuck on repeat...

This whole sorry charade just makes me sad…

phimagen

Yes please!! If AFC can get 20-30m for him, they should drive him to the airport themselves. With hindsight, should have been sold this Summer. And I am/used to be a big Özil fan….

Lord Bendnter

Arseblog, the only place you don’t mind going through spam

Glasgow Gooner

Aw fiddlesticks, I just got him in my ultimate team.

You’re going nowhere son!

Red-Wing

This is not a buy back clause but pre-emption right. Important difference.

Isaiah Rankin

how much?

Laughing Stock

I didn’t think I’d ever see the day when Barcelona wanted to buy our record signing and I would be happy to drive him to the airport

Original Paul

I don’t care anymore. It’s boring now.

Jason

Ozil must fuck off

He\'s got no hair but we don\'t care...

Just go.

santori

I think personally he is better in Italy where they are rebuilding and the pace of the game may suit his style.

There will be too much history to go back to Madrid. I don’t think Barca will see an aging Madrid asset as a positive having sold Neymar.

WengerOut

Take him

Share article

Featured on NewsNow

Support Arseblog

Latest posts

Latest Arsecast

49
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x