Despite recent reports coming out of Catalonia linking Mesut Ozil with a move to Barcelona, it appears that the German is not actually in high demand at the Camp Nou.
The Arsenal playmaker is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to discuss terms with any interested clubs in January ahead of a summer move, where he could leave the Gunners for absolutely nothing, having set them back £42 million four years ago.
But if Lionel Messi gets his way, the World Cup winner won't be discussing terms with Barcelona, as the Argentine wants his club to continue with their pursuit of Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho instead, according to Diario Gol.
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Diario are reporting that Messi has instructed manager Ernesto Valverde and club president Josep Bartomeu to focus on Coutinho over Ozil, who spent four years with Barca's biggest rivals Real Madrid between 2010 and 2014.
Ozil is set to leave the Gunners in the summer on a free transfer after failing to agree terms on a new deal at the Emirates stadium. Images: PA
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The Spanish publication says of Messi's opinion of the situation in their report, "He considers that he is a very old player and that if Coutinho does not come now in January, it is better to put up with the put and go for him again in June.
"He wants Barca to sign a young man with a future and wanting to make a name in a big club, not a player who has already given everything he had to give in European football"
Messi is also concerned about Ozil's consistency, with the former Los Blancos playmaker suffering extreme dips in form during his Arsenal career, often drawing the ire of many Gunners fans in the process.
Barca tried and failed to land Coutinho over the summer, with Liverpool standing firm on their stance of not wanting to part with their most prized asset.
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Coutinho was left devastated after his move to Barcelona didn't happen over the summer. Will the Brazilian get his wish next year? Image: PA
Offers in the region of £90 million-£100 million weren't enough to convince the Reds to part with the Brazilian, who was reportedly left devastated when a deal didn't materialise between the two clubs.
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While Barcelona would go onto spend £135 million on Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele, Valverde and Bartomeu still want to add Coutinho to their ranks, with the former Internazionale youngster being viewed as a long term replacement for Andres Iniesta.
(H/T The Mirror)
Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Mesut Ozil, Philippe Coutinho, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Arsenal, La Liga