Mesut Ozil handed Barcelona a two-week deadline to decide whether they are going to offer him a deal next summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 29-year-old Arsenal midfielder is out of contract in June and is free to talk to foreign clubs from 1st January. The Spanish sports paper reports that his agents have already met with the Blaugrana hierarchy to see whether the club’s interest in genuine.
Speculation over the deal has been intense with Lionel Messi, 30, reportedly telling Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde not to sign the German World Cup Winner. The Argentinean, it’s suggested, does not believe Ozil takes control of games as much as a player of his talent should.
It’s been a tortuous summer for Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez, 28, is believed to have told the club he will not renew his contract and is ready to leave while Jack Wilshere, 25, has yet to be offered a new deal, despite his enthusiasm and eagerness to stay at the club.
The Gunners offered Ozil a deal worth £275,000 per week but as yet the German is in no hurry to sign it, preferring instead to explore his options.
Manchester United are also keen on midfielder but the interest of the Catalans takes them to the top of the list of potential suitors.
