An intriguing report from Spanish news outlet Don Balon suggests that it was Lionel Messi who blocked an approach from Barcelona for Arsenal’s midfielder Mesut Özil, as he did not think a move for the former Real Madrid player would be a shrewd one, The Guardian reveals.

This reportedly followed the disappointment of a transfer window in which Barcelona lost Neymar to PSG, failed to land many of the big-name transfer targets they were actively pursuing and were caught being decidedly “economical with the truth” regarding Messi’s future.

Messi is reported to be irritated with his club’s various embarrassments during the January window and may very well up sticks and head for Manchester City when his contract expires next summer.