Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Isco and Mesut Ozil

Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing either Isco or Mesut Ozil if they fail to agree to new deals with Real Madrid and Arsenal respectively.

According to Moises Llorens of AS (h/t The Sun's Richard Forrester), the former has rejected an offer of a contract extension from Los Blancos, and Barca are keeping a keen eye on his situation at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yahoo Sports' Andrew Gaffney offered a different report but noted the midfielder has relatively little time remaining on his deal:

Meanwhile, according to Sport, unnamed sources reported "executives from Barcelona have made contact with Ozil's agents to tell them that they would like to sign him if he cannot agree to a deal with Arsenal."

Like Isco, the German also has under 18 months left on his contract.

Barcelona aren't lacking for creativity, but Andres Iniesta will turn 33 in May, and it will soon be time to line up a long-term replacement.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Iniesta is one of the best midfielders of his generation and can perhaps never be truly replaced, but both of the aforementioned reported targets are outstanding playmakers.

Ozil is a key player for the Gunners and has racked up 29 goals and 51 assists in 143 games since joining from Real Madrid in 2013, while Isco has accrued 26 and 39 respectively for Los Blancos.

Here's how he has stacked up against Ozil in league play this year, per Squawka:

	Isco	Ozil
Apps	15	20
Minutes	794	1,682
Goals	4	5
Assists	3	4
Chances Created per 90 mins	2.38	2.94
Take-Ons per 90 mins	31.40	37.40
Forward Passes per 90 mins	1.59	1.07
Pass Completion	89%	87%

Because of the wealth of talent available to Real boss Zinedine Zidane, Isco does not enjoy the same status at the Bernabeu as Ozil does at the Emirates Stadium—he's only started 14 of his 22 appearances this season and completed 90 minutes just twice.

That could make him more attainable, but Real would be loath to let him go to their biggest rivals.

According to Sport, Barca would have to pay approximately €40 million to activate Isco's release clause, which is said to be more than they're willing to spend. They're more likely to land him at the end of next season if his contract runs down.

As for Ozil, Arsenal will be determined to secure him to a new long-term deal—if they're unable to, Barca will likely face plenty of competition for his signature.