'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
Barcelona's interest in signing Mesut Ozil has hit a huge iceberg. The Catalan side were keen on securing a deal for him in January but the move now depends on Real Madrid.
Reports in Daily Star claim that Los Blancos have a first option clause in Ozil's contract at Arsenal. This gives them the power to sign the German back by just matching the bid made by Barcelona.
Also read: Manchester United to beat Barcelona to the signing of £155 million star
In case you didn’t know...
'First option' clauses are nothing new in football. Cesc Fabregas had a similar clause in his contract at Barcelona but Arsenal decided not to use it.
The Spaniard wanted to head back to the Emirates but Wenger wasn't keen on a reunion as he believed that he could do with Cazorla and Ramsey in that position. Cesc went on to sign for Chelsea, where he has won 2 Premier League titles in 3 seasons.
The heart of the matter
Ernesto Valverde was interested in signing Mesut Ozil in January as a move to Philippe Coutinho looks unlikely to happen. Liverpool are reluctant to sell the Brazilian while Ozil's contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
The German star is looking to leave the Emirates and is keen on joining a Champions League side. Apart from Barcelona, has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus, AC Milan and even Fenerbache.
Also read: 10 most valuable midfielders in the world right now
What’s next?
Arsenal will try to negotiate a new contract with Ozil once again in the coming weeks. They have time until December 31st to secure the new contract with him.
If they do not manage to get him to sign a new contract by then, he will be free to hold talks and also sign a pre-contract with any club interested in signing him.
Author’s Take
From the looks of things right now, Mesut Ozil is definitely not going to sign a new contract at Arsenal. Where he will end up moving is the real question right now!
A move to Barcelona or Real Madrid looks unlikely as he is not the player he was a few years back. Bayern Munich and Manchester United are likely options but Juventus might be the wildcard move for him.
Also read: 5 replacements for Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich
