Real Madrid News: How Jose Mourinho pipped Barcelona to Mesut Ozil's signature
Mesut Ozil joined Real Madrid after the 2010 World Cup and spent three years before sealing a £42.5million switch to Arsenal. The German midfield maestro had originally preferred to sign for Barcelona, but Jose Mourinho’s personal touch made him feel more wanted and so headed to the Bernabeu. “In his autobiography Gunning for Greatness, Ozil said: “When I visited Barcelona, there was no tour of the stadium; no display of their trophies, which had given me goose bumps in Madrid.
GETTY Mesut Ozil nearly joined Barcelona before he signed for Real Madrid
GETTY Jose Mourinho got Mesut Ozil when he was in charge of Real Madrid
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Most disappointing of all was the fact that Pep Guardiola didn’t take the time to meet me Mesut Ozil
“Unlike Real Madrid, Barcelona had no emotional impact on me. The entire visit was less cordial, although I was inspired by their style of play. “But most disappointing of all was the fact that Pep Guardiola didn’t take the time to meet me. “Even before I went to Barcelona I was convinced that’s where I’d be transferring to. Or at least that was my preference.