Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has reportedly proposed an alternative plan regarding transfer target Philippe Coutinho.
Messi has asked the Barcelona bosses to sign three players instead of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.
Barcelona were desperate to sign Coutinho over the summer but despite repeated attempts the La Liga giants failed to convince the Reds to sell their most prized asset.
The Brazilian had handed in an official transfer request but Liverpool turned down Barcelona’s three back-to-back bids for Coutinho and he ended up remaining at Anfield and has now displayed good form for the Premier League club this season.
Barcelona are still keen on roping in the Brazilian with Coutinho desperate to join Lionel Messi and Co. at the Nou Camp.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the Liverpool bosses are finally ready to sell Coutinho next summer but they want an astronomical transfer fee for their most prized asset.
But the Spanish website Diario Gol says Lionel Messi has advised the Barcelona bosses not to overspend on the Brazilian and instead splurge the cash on three other players.
The report claims that Messi wants Barcelona to rope in Monaco winger Thomas Lemar.
The 21-year old displayed incredible form last season – guiding Monaco to Ligue 1 triumph.
Lemar scored 14 goals from 55 games but has now seen a dip in his form since a move to Arsenal broke down on transfer deadline day this summer.
Reports on Wednesday said that Messi has genuine interest in the Monaco star and wants Barca to steal the French winger from under the noses of Arsenal, who have reignited their interest in the 21-year-old.
Diaro Gol claim that Messi has also identified in-form Lyon star Nabil Fekir as a potential transfer target and has asked the club bosses to monitor his availability.
Fekir has displayed incredible form this season – with 12 goals to his name in 15 games and have emerged as one of the most talented players in the footballing circuit.
Messi is also open to the idea of signing Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City.
Mahrez was heavily linked with a move away from Leicester during the summer transfer window.
He had even left the club on deadline day to seal a move to an unnamed club, but the transfer never went through and the Algerian star has seen himself stuck at the King Power Stadium ever since.
