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Barcelona eyeing pair of Juventus stars- Lionel Messi is clamoring for help

By Rucker Haringey

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 08: Lionel Messi (L) and Neymar of Barcelona celebrate their side's sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 08: Lionel Messi (L) and Neymar of Barcelona celebrate their side's sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona need to purchase defensive reinforcements

Lionel Messi has suddenly become very concerned with Barcelona’s inability to keep opponents off the score sheet. To that end, the Argentine maestro has recommended two Juventus defenders as the club’s primary summer transfer targets.

Reports from Spain claim that Messi has advised club officials to target Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci during the upcoming summer transfer window. Messi’s interest in either player isn’t too difficult to understand. The pair recently played a large role in shutting the Catalan giants out 3-0 in the opening tie of their Champions League encounter.

The interesting question is which of his club’s two starting centre backs Messi thinks should be replaced. Gerard Pique has been a rock for the club for years. It’s hard to imagine him being put out to pasture quite so soon. He’s been in solid form this season with a Whoscored.com player rating average of 7.16. That happens to be the fifth highest mark in the squad.

The other option would be young Samuel Umtiti. The Frenchman hasn’t been as consistent as Pique, but he’s clearly a very talented player. Taking him out of the starting XI just as he’s hitting his true prime would be a bit cruel. He’s precisely the sort of player the club should be building around.

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Despite the competence of that pairing, the opportunity to sign a player like Chiellini or Bonucci would be hard to turn down. The two have partnered together to form one of the best central defensive partnerships in the world over the last several years. Either could easily slot into the club’s defensive rotation from day one. In particular, their experience in big time matches would be a big boost for Barcelona’s backline.

Of course, Juventus aren’t going to be in any mood to let either defender go. They are two of the biggest reasons that The Old Lady find themselves in such terrific form. They’re well on their way towards another Serie A title and may very well complement that with a Champions League trophy. If those two things occur, it’s hard to imagine Juventus selling either defender absent a truly astounding bid.

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Lionel Messi knows that Barcelona need quite a bit of defensive help. He also knows that the pairing of Chiellini and Bonucci defended his attack better than anyone else this season. It’s only natural that he wants his current enemies to become his teammates next season.

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