Lionel Messi asks Barcelona to sign one of five star attackers

Lionel Messi is once again an active participant in Barcelona’s transfer activity and hence, he wants them to sign one of his five suggested forwards.

Barcelona are going to have to turn to the transfer market very soon as they look to replenish their forward line. The Catalans have two of the world’s best players in their respective positions through Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez but both the South Americans are now into their 30s and have shown signs of slowing down of late.

Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are in their own zone and have failed to maintain consistency twelve and eighteen months respectively since arriving at the Camp Nou. Barcelona’s board is not happy with the return it is getting on the investment it has made on the two and apparently, also has gotten offers to get rid of one, or even both of them.

More from FC Barcelona

• Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
• Barcelona put five past Real Betis
• Xavi backs struggling Robert Lewandowski
• Gavi youngest Barcelona player to reach 100 games
• Barcelona struggle but pull out win against Osasuna

As a result, the consultations have been undertaken with Lionel Messi, who has asked the board to evaluate between five names in order to sign as a replacement to himself and Luis Suarez during the long run, as well as somebody who can be equally consistent and lethal and form an attacking trident in the 2019/20 season.

Neymar is the first name on the list. The Brazilian already regrets making a move to Paris two years back and has one foot out of France already. But the Catalans are not open with the idea of re-signing him in spite of him reportedly being available for just 100 million euros, thanks to the way he left them during 2017.

Mohamed Salah is the second name who is on Messi’s wish list. The Liverpool star has burst into life since arriving on Merseyside in 2017/18 and has turned into one of Europe’s best forwards. The Egypt international has also rejected Real Madrid publicly, but Barcelona will have to pay 100 million euros in excess of his transfer fee as part of a clause with Liverpool.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is another prospect who has caught Messi’s eye. He has been compared to Neymar for his flamboyant style of play. However, Barcelona’s chances of getting him are bleak because of their turbulent relationship with BVB from their time of signing Ousmane Dembele. Plus, they will have to pay something similar as Dembele for Sancho.

Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid is the ever-present option in this list. The France international has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, but chose to renew his contract with Atletico some time back. His release clause is 200 million euros now and Barcelona do not feel the need to spend that much on a player close to his 30s.

Lastly, Lionel Messi’s realistic and favourite option is Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe. The 20-year-old’s last one year has been in line with the Argentine in terms of achievements and he has also been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and the main Barcelona man. Messi feels that Mbappe could be the perfect fit and wants the Barcelona board to go all out.

Up to how many million euros should Barcelona spend on signing Kylian Mbappe this summer?