Lionel Messi shut the door on Barcelona moving for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil on Friday's Spanish deadline day.

Ozil, now well inside the final year of his contract, attracted an approach from Barca as they sought alternatives to prime midfield target Philippe Coutinho, of Liverpool.

However, Don Balon says Messi was unimpressed and upon hearing of Barca's move, quickly offered his advice on the German.

The Argentine also played a part in Barca failing to sign Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez, a favourite of coach Ernesto Valverde.

Messi insisted to the club's top brass that Martinez was not required with good friend Javier Mascherano still on the books.