Report: Barcelona eyeing Ozil approach amid Arsenal contract standoff

Barcelona is keeping tabs on Arsenal's so-far fruitless attempts to tie down Mesut Ozil to longer terms, and will pounce if it learns negotiations are still stalling, reports The Mirror's John Cross.

The ingenious midfielder has 18 months remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, and has made it clear he wants assurances about the future of manager Arsene Wenger before inking terms. It's also believed Ozil, 28, is seeking a pay packet exceeding £250,000 a week - an increase of at least £70,000 from what he currently takes home.

If nothing is agreed between the two parties soon, Barcelona is apparently set to make its third attempt to acquire Ozil.

The fact that the Germany international hasn't agreed a longer stay in north London has unsurprisingly alerted numerous other clubs on the continent, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. The latter, which Ozil represented for three seasons before joining the Gunners in 2013, holds a buyback option on the playmaker.

There's some confusion about what that means - Arsenal could potentially have to notify Los Blancos if it accepts any bid from elsewhere for Ozil or, according to the Press Association's understanding of the Football Leaks document from January 2016, the stipulation may only apply to a bid submitted from another Spanish club.

Alexis Sanchez is another Arsenal player holding out on signing a new contract, and, like Ozil, his current agreement winds down in 2018. The Chilean is allegedly seeking £250,000-a-week wages, and has attracted attention from Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chinese Super League clubs.