Rumour Mongering: Barcelona Set Sights on Mesut Ozil

Hi dear readers. Were you aware that the Spanish La Liga club Barcelona wanted to purchase Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool this summer? I know this might come as a shock to some of you, but indeed this was the case, with the Catalan giants putting in several bids for the talented Brazilian midfielder.

Now, according to the infamous Barcelona-friendly rumor peddlers Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club is turning their attention away from Philippe Coutinho, and toward Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

The German midfielder is in the last year of his contract with the Gunners, and Barcelona believe that he could be a cost-effective solution for a long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta. Although Barcelona could opt to arrange a pre-contract, allowing him to leave on a free this summer, the report out of Spain indicates that they might be willing to offer £17 million to get him to the Nou Camp six months early.

Now this is a baseless rumor I can get behind! Why not nab Christian Eriksen while you’re at it?

As a Barcelona publication, it could be an indication that the club are starting to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements. Or it could mean another lowball bid for Coutinho is coming an hour before tonight’s kickoff (complete with another back “injury” no doubt). Who can say?