Barcelona want former Real Madrid player if Coutinho does not come

While the transfer window for the Premier league has shut, La Liga teams have one more day to complete their transfer deals. And boy does Barcelona need that one more day!

Barcelona are preparing a final 134 million bid for Coutinho, that may go up to 160 million with the added incentives. While Liverpool have made it very clear that they will not sell their Brazilian, Barcelona feel that one last effort might be enough to seal the deal.

ALSO READ : Chelsea sign English international for 35 million

But knowing Liverpool’s stance, the Catalan club have decided to have a plan B in case Coutinho does not become a Barcelona player within 24 hours.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil is their contingency plan, as they will turn to the former Real Madrid player if things don’t work out.

Ozil was a star during his three years at Madrid, and was respected by the Barcelona team. Fabregas even said that many players in the Catalan camp felt that Ozil was Real’s best player after Cristiano Ronaldo.

If Barcelona were to move for Mesut Ozil, it would again be a complicated transfer to pull off. Ozil, who is in his last year of contract with Arsenal, has shown signs that he willing to extend his stay with the Gunners. But his head might turn if Barcelona come calling.

The World Cup winner is yet to win the Champions league, and he might feel that he would have a great opportunity to do that with Barcelona. His loyalties with Real Madrid may play a factor though, as he might not want to upset his former club.

Arsene Wenger has publicly stated that he will not sell Ozil or Sanchez this summer. His insistence on keeping hold of his star players might become another hurdle for Barcelona to overcome.

Watch this space for more!