10 Players You Didn't Know Barcelona Almost Signed

5. Mesut Ozil

In 2010, dithering cost Barcelona the chance of signing Mesut Ozil. The midfielder was on the verge of leaving German side Werder Bremen at the time and Barca had an agreement to sign Ozil for just £7 million. According to Spanish sources, the Germany international even met with the Catalan's president, Sandro Rosell, but the Spanish club's board were divided over the move, giving Real Madrid just enough time to swoop in and whisk him off to the Bernabeu from under their noses. Barca's indecision allowed Madrid to secure an £11 million deal for Ozil, who went on to flourish in the Spanish capital and develop into a world class player, opening the door for his amazing £42.5 million move to Arsenal last summer, a deal that made him the Londoner's record signing. To think that Barca could have got him for a fraction of that amount is baffling, and their decision to drag their heels over a transfer all those years ago must surely be one they regret.