Real Madrid could buy-back Mesut Ozil to prevent him from joining Barcelona, according to reports.

Mesut “nobody wants him” Ozil has been subject of interest from Barcelona recently, but could soon be involved in some transfer shenanigans.

According to Don Balon, Real Madrid could use a buy-back clause to sign Ozil just so Barcelona don’t get him.

Ozil’s contract expires in the summer and it’s looking increasingly likely that he’ll leave on a free transfer.

According to the BBC’s David Ornstein, Arsenal haven’t held contract talks with Ozil since March.

It means that foreign clubs will be able to talk with Ozil in January.

In the unlikely event that Madrid do get involved, Ozil can simply reject them in favour of Barcelona.

If Madrid want to use that buy-back clause, they’ll have to make their move in January otherwise the clause will expire.

This seems to be another case of Don Balon stirring up the transfer pot just for the sake of it. When it comes to fanciful Madrid rumours, nobody does it better.

Madrid generally don’t re-sign players they’ve sold, and with players like Isco and Marco Asensio on the books, they have no need for Ozil.