Barcelona transfer news: Lionel Messi demand revealed by Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague
BARCELONA star Lionel Messi has demanded the La Liga champions’ board bolster their squad this summer.
That’s according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who’s made the revelation while discussing Antoine Griezmann’s prospective move to the Nou Camp.
Barcelona wrapped up their La Liga and Copa del Rey double two weeks ago by beating Deportivo La Coruna at the Abanca-Riazor.
But they will not be resting on their laurels ahead of next season, when they will be hoping to replicate Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League.
Barcelona are expected to tie up a deal to prise Griezmann away from rivals Atletico Madrid by paying up his £87m (€100m) release clause.
And Balague has revealed that move would represent the Barcelona board responding to the demands of Messi and other senior players.
"They’ve not met with Griezmann but they have met with his representatives, chaired by his sister, and that has been mooted by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu himself," Balague told Sky Sports, when asked how far along a deal is and where Griezmann will fit in at Barcelona.
"There will be no problem accommodating Griezmann, you just have to look at Liverpool there is less emphasis on positions, talent is everything.
"Ousmane Dembele will have to fight for his place and Luis Suarez will have a bit of a challenge because Griezmann can play as a nine.
"But in a big game I see Barca playing a front three of Lionel Messi, Suarez and Griezmann.
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"But it depends on the game, Philippe Coutinho could be used in games they want to control while Griezmann could be used if they want to counter. The possibilities are immense.
"That’s exactly what Messi and the top guys are Barcelona have demanded, a lot of quality and options from the bench."
Barcelona sit 15 points clear of second-placed Atletico and 18 ahead of third-placed Real Madrid going into their final two games of the La Liga campaign.
Ernesto Valverde’s men face Levante on Sunday in their penultimate fixture, with Real Sociedad the visitors to the Nou Camp on the final day of the season.