La Liga News: Real Madrid offered Ozil to Man Utd, Messi behind Barcelona’s Coutinho push

Real Madrid offered Manchester United the chance to sign Mesut Ozil back in 2013, reports say.

The Red Devils are being tipped to sign the Germany international, who looks likely to leave Arsenal either in January or at the end of the season.

But the Daily Mail say he could have been a United player already.

Real told United they could land him four years ago but manager at the time, David Moyes, opted against a deal.

Instead, he ended up joining Arsenal, where he has won the FA Cup three times during his four years in north London. 

Lionel Messi is reportedly behind Barcelona’s interest in Philippe Coutinho.

Spanish website Don Balon say the Argentina international is the reason why Barcelona are so insistent on signing the Brazil international.

It is claimed Messi told the La Liga giants to sign a midfielder last year.

Their initial target was Marco Verratti, though Paris Saint-Germain refused to let the Italy international move to the Parc des Princes.

And ever since they have been chasing Coutinho, despite Liverpool’s insistence he is not for sale. 

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has claimed he never feared the departure of Antoine Griezmann amid interest from Manchester United last summer.

"No, no because I talked to him. He told me, look, I'll call you in a week and I'll tell you what I think,” he told Cadena Ser. 

“Then he told me he was staying. He was not going to leave. I was convinced that he was not going to leave. 

“Why? Because I felt that it was not the time for him to leave. He has yet to give the club more things."