Former Real Madrid man could’ve played for Barca.
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Arsenal’s new signing Mesut Ozil almost became a Barcelona player in 2010 whilst still at Werder Bremen, according to reports in the Daily Star.
The German international, a £42.4m deadline day signing from Real Madrid for the Gunners this season, had three successful seasons at the Bernabeu after leaving the Bundesliga, though it has now emerged that he came close to playing for Los Blancos’ arch rivals.
Ozil cost Real Madrid £13m on the back of a superb showing at the 2010 World Cup for the German national team, though it is now understood that Barcelona had agreed a fee of £7m to sign him from Bremen, only to lose out to Real after their divided board failed to push the deal through in time.
The 24-year-old is now widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the world, and has been in fine form for Arsenal since his surprise move to the Emirates Stadium this season.
Though even on this occasion stories have emerged of moves that could have happened for Ozil, with the likes of Manchester United and PSG thought to have attempted to hijack his move to the Gunners late on on deadline day.