Barcelona are prepared to pay the reported asking price of €20m to sign Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Ozil, in January, according to reports in Spain.
The 29-year-old’s contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in June 2018 and the North London club risk losing him on a free transfer if they fail to cash in during the January transfer window.
The German international is reportedly keen to leave the Gunners and Barca, on their part, are willing to give him that escape route, especially considering the difficulty in landing Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.
Initially, it was claimed by the Spanish media that the Catalan giants are prepared to offer Andre Gomes in a swap deal.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca could secure a direct transfer and have already opened discussions with Ozil’s agent Erkut Sogut.
Ozil spent three years with Real Madrid but is open to joining their arch-rivals in the winter.
He is also thought to be a Manchester United transfer target after working with Jose Mourinho in Spain.
The 29-year-old put in a match-of-the-match display in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.
Since joining the Gunners, Ozil has helped them clinch three FA Cup titles.
