Ozil is moving into the last six months of his contract, meaning that he will be able to discuss a pre-contract with overseas sides fron January 1.
That natually gives Barca the upper hand, though Manchester United are also thought to hold a very real and very serious interest in the World Cup winner.
Talks are continuing with Arsenal over a new deal, with Arsene Wenger's side thought to have offered the German £235,000 per week to stay, though the player is said to be looking for closer to £300,000.
English publication 'The Daily Mail' reports that the playmaker has told his close friends that he would prefer a move to Old Trafford than the Camp Nou as it would give him the opportuity to work under former boss Jose Mourinho, for whom he played some of the best football of his career in the white of Real Madrid.
Could United seal another Van Persie-esque swoop?