Ozil: Guardiola didn't want me at Barca

Cape Town - Arsenal play-maker Mesut Ozil has revealed that he wanted to join Barcelona in 2010, but Pep Guardiola showed no interest in signing him.

Ozil had a number of top clubs after him following his performances at the 2010 World Cup, but he saw Barcelona as the most attractive destination.

However, the German signed for their arch-rivals Real Madrid instead, after Barca boss Guardiola opted not to attend a meeting with him regarding a potential move.

“Arsenal were interested in signing me after the 2010 World Cup, as were Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid,” he wrote in his upcoming autobiography.

“My agent sat down with Bayern to discuss a move. The club told him about their plans with me and how they intended to use me. He had similar talks with the other clubs that wanted me.”

Ozil added: “Before I travelled to Barcelona, I was convinced that was my next club. I was leaning toward joining Barcelona. There was no team in the world that played more beautiful football.

“But Guardiola did not attend talks and he did not call me either the days after. He did not even send me a text. He did not show me that he wanted to sign me as well. My interest in a move to Barcelona quickly decreased.”

Meanwhile Ozil previously revealed when speaking on his time at Real Madrid that his then manager, Jose Mourinho had called him a coward in a heated half-time dressing down.