Mesut Ozil has entered the final six months of his Arsenal contract (Picture: Getty)
Mesut Ozil has entered the final six months of his Arsenal contract (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal risked allowing Mesut Ozil to begin negotiations with Barcelona by delaying contract talks with their star playmaker for a staggering 10 months, according to Goal.

The 29-year-old has entered the final six months of his current deal and is permitted to begin negotiations with any foreign suitors, which included the Liga leaders, who were said to have identified the former Real Madird star as a cheap alternative to Philippe Coutinho.

Manchester United have also been credited with a strong interest in the Germany international with Jose Mourinho ready to dispense with Inter target Henrik Mkhitaryan following a number of under-par performances which culminated in a training ground bust up.

Goal claims that Arsenal began initial talks with Ozil over a lucrative extension as far back as February but did not recommence negotiations until last month.

Alexis Sanchez is in the same contractual position as Mesut Ozil and continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City (Picture: Getty)
Alexis Sanchez is in the same contractual position as Mesut Ozil and continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

An agreement is yet to be struck but Arsenal are said to be confident the player will not sign a pre-contract agreement with Barcelona, especially in light of the rapid developments surrounding Coutinho who now appears set to complete his dream move to Camp Nou.

Ozil is yet to make a decision about his future but is said to be happy in London and recently bought a new home in the capital, while his recent comments ahead of Wednesday’s derby with Chelsea intimated he could be about to commit his future to the Gunners.

When asked why he joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 in a recent Q&A with Junior Gunners, Ozil said: ‘Because of the history and the amazing players. I’m here to learn, to grow up and to show my talent for this club.

‘This club has made me bigger. I’m so proud to play for a big club like Arsenal.’

Ozil, meanwhile, remains a fitness doubt for tonight’s match against the Premier League champions having missed the New Year’s Eve draw at West Brom with a minor knee injury.