Rumour Mongering: Messi Wants Ozil Over Coutinho

What’s that? You’d like more rumors about the Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona saga? But, of course! Yesterday we reported on the rumors that Barcelona midfielders Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitić were not so keen on bringing our diminutive midfielder to Camp Nou. Today, it seems, that Best Player in the World™ Lionel Messi also would prefer his club look elsewhere.

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Messi instead would like to see Arsenal pursuit current Arsenal and former Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil. Ozil, who is currently in the last year of his contract with the Gunners, could be a much cheaper attacking option for the Catalan giants than Coutinho, who would rightfully demand a premium for his services.

After the failed (not to mention low-ball) bids from Barcelona this summer, and indications from the club that they would not sell for less than an exorbitant fee, it might finally be occurring to them that they cannot use their normal tactics to bring Liverpool to the negotiating table.

Hopefully this, along with other similar indications, might mean the club is slowly cooling from the idea of bringing in Coutinho.

Or, you know, they come back next week with a £25 million offer plus £150 million if Coutinho wins an Oscar, Tony, and Ballon d’Or in the same season.