Germany World Cup star Mesut Ozil are in advanced talks with Barcelona, according to elmundodeportivo.

The Catalan giants are preparing for the worse in their long-winded pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and Ozil is believed to be their alternative target.

The 21-year-old is also the target of rivals Real Madrid but has revealed his preference in joining Barcelona, where the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi would be too tempting to resist.

The Werder Bremen midfielder has a year left in his contract with the club and would come at a fraction of the cost Barcelona would have to folk out for Fabregas.

Bremen are already preparing for life without Ozil as they eye a move for Marseille playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa, who is refusing to renew his stay in France.