Barcelona Don’t Want To Sign Ozil For This Strange Reason
Reuters / Hannah McKay
Mesut Ozil is one of the winter transfer window’s hottest properties, and recently, after being speculated with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona, the club is now said to be having doubts.
Ozil will be a free agent in the summer of 2018, and with Premier League club Arsenal finding themselves in failed attempts to keep him at the Emirates, he could well be on the verge of moving away in January itself.
The Gunners feel they could still go on to earn a relative sum just months ahead of them losing him for free. The German, since then, has seen his name being attached with some big clubs including Man United, and now Barca.
The Spanish giants signed Ousmane Dembele in the summer for a mammoth fee, and were highly interested in Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho as well.
Several high-profile bids were rejected by Liverpool for the Brazilian, and many feel the league leaders could turn their attention towards a cheaper alternative in Ozil.
The experienced footballer has enjoyed success at Arsenal, winning three FA Cups since his move from Real Madrid four seasons ago, but there is a fear he could turn out to be the new Arda Turan.
According to SPORT, many of Barca’s board members feel Ozil will not be a success as per signing him goes, and that’s the least they want. This fear originated after the club signed former Atletico Madrid star Arda Turan.
The Turk was expected to reach new heights at Camp Nou, but unlike his prominence in Atletico, he failed in the Barca colours. And now, they feel Ozil could turn out to be a similar buy.
The 29-year-old is demanding 19 million euros per season, and that, according to sources, is a handicap for Ernesto Valverde’s side. Also, his attitude is often questioned by critics, and that’s something the club cannot afford.
For now, Ozil will hope to make his remaining time count at Arsenal, and a series of good performances in December could well just ring the ears of the Catalan hierarchy.
Written by Rajdeep Saha 
Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.