Barcelona set to ditch interest in £130m Liverpool superstar and make January move  for Arsenal contract rebel

Barcelona are prepared drop their interest in Liverpool star playmaker Philippe Coutinho in favour or Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

The La Liga giants tabled a £130 million bid for Coutinho over the summer transfer window however, the Reds turned down the offer.

Mesut Ozil meanwhile has under seven months remaining on his contract with the Gunners. The 29-year-old can hold talks with Barcelona from January 1 onwards unless he pens a new deal with the Gunners.

According to the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are ready to switch their focus towards Ozil after failing to make any progress regarding the transfer of Coutinho.

Wenger recently revealed that he would consider selling Ozil in January.

The Germany international is expected to return to action this weekend when Arsenal host their biter rivals Tottenham at the Emirates stadium.

Liverpool meanwhile take on Southampton on Saturday as they look to maintain their winning run,