Lionel Messi suggests perfect signings for Barcelona’s future

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at Camp Nou on April 16, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at Camp Nou on April 16, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Lionel Messi has suggested Barcelona with a top-notch line-up for the upcoming years as the club braces for younger signings and prepares for its future.

The core member of Barcelona’s squad is ageing and it is time for the Catalans to think about the future and make sure that reliable players are signed well in time to deal with the club’s lofty standards in the coming years. Ernesto Valverde already has plans in his mind whereas Barcelona’s president wants to tie Lionel Messi down to a long-term contract so that the captain can help in matters.

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The Catalans’ plans for the future have already gotten underway with Lionel Messi being used as bait into persuading younger players to join the club, according to Diario GOL. Arthur Melo’s arrival last summer kick-started the beginning of a Barcelona squad that is soon going to have a great depth and some promising faces from all across the world.

Clement Lenglet’s signing was later followed up while Frenkie de Jong has also agreed on terms with the club and will check in from Ajax Amsterdam after the end of this season. The club is now looking to close in on more promising youngsters- Joshua Kimmich and Matthijs de Ligt– the former being a suggestion from none other than Messi.

Kimmich is a right back and can play in the centre of the park as well, thereby being a competent to Sergi Roberto who has been good, but shown signs of sloppiness in the past. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt can play as a centre back and be Samuel Umtiti’s replacement. The Dutchman is also capable of being a defensive midfielder and can provide cushion to Sergio Busquets.

As a matter of fact, Lionel Messi asked Jasper Cillessen to talk his compatriot de Ligt into joining Barcelona over Real Madrid. The icing on the cake is going to be the signing of a forward who can lift some load that has been carried by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez over the last two seasons.

Antoine Griezmann interests Barcelona, but the prospect of signing Mohamed Salah from Liverpool is even more enticing. The Reds will take 100 million pounds more from Barcelona for every signing they make from them now as part of a past agreement, but sending Philippe Coutinho back to the Anfield might nullify that bonus amount.

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