Barcelona are planning a last gasp swoop for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil if they fail to land Philippe Coutinho.
The transfer deadline in Spain closes 24 hours later than in England – meaning the Catalans could still land the German international.
Barca have spent virtually the whole summer trying to prise Coutinho out of Liverpool.
It was thought the Brazilian was finally ready to leave Merseyside with an announcement promised at 7pm yesterday.
But nothing happened.
So a stunning £138million deal is still up in the air and, if it doesn’t come off, Ozil could be on his way instead for £55m.
Spanish radio station Cadena Cope broke the news that will shock many Arsenal fans who might have assumed the transfer season was over until January.
On the other hand Liverpool supporters transfer might look upon this as good news as Nou Camp bosses have an alternative plan to get their teeth into.
Liverpool had rejected increasing offers from the Nou Camp to take the Brazilian international.
A third offer of £118 million was turned down but the Liverpool’s resolve finally broke yesterday with the player intent on the move from Anfield to the Nou Camp.
As for Ozil, after Borussia Dortmund collected £130million for French winger Ousmane Dembele they were looking to reinvest it in the Gunners ace immediately.
Again – nothing happened.
Coutinho, incidentally, scored for Brazil versus Ecuador on Thursday and it now looks likely that the Brazilian playmaker will remain at Liverpool.
Ozil was one of three Arsenal big-name players in the final year of their contracts – along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who signed for Liverpool, and Alexis Sanchez, who remains at the Etihad.
Ozil is with the German international side ahead of a key World Cup qualifier tonight against the Czech Republic.
Germany also face Norway on Monday.
Their ‘senior side’ will be keen to secure World Cup qualification after a successful Confederations Cup.
Other options for Barcelona today include Angel Di Maria and Arsenal target Thomas Lemar, who scored two goals for France on Thursday against Holland and Lemar was awesome throughout.