Barcelona were reportedly told not to sign Arsenal and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil by long-serving forward Lionel Messi.

Ozil wasn’t linked with many clubs during the summer, but Barcelona’s name did come up once or twice. The Spanish giants never made an official offer for Ozil, and according to Don Balon, it was Lionel Messi who told them not to bother.

There’s no given reason for why Messi would be against the 28-year-old in particular, besides the fact that he didn’t think Ozil was an appropriate replacement for Neymar. I’m sure the Barcelona board didn’t need to be told what a bad idea that would be.

Ozil’s contract expires in the summer and much was made of the fact that nobody tried to sign him, while a number of clubs were instead lining up for the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez.

He’d probably do well at Barcelona, but for now, we’ll have to put up with him at Arsenal. What a shame. It doesn’t look like the German international will be a signing a new contract with Arsenal anytime soon, however.

If he hasn’t extended by January, he’ll be free to talk with foreign clubs.