Lionel Messi: Barcelona star wants Dele Alli and Marco Asensio to replace Neymar - report
BARCELONA star Lionel Messi wants the club to invest the money from Neymar's sale to Paris Saint-Germain on Tottenham's Dele Alli and Real Madrid's Marco Asensio, reports claim.
Tottenham's Dele Alli humiliates teammate with cheeky nutmeg
Barcelona lost Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain last week in a world-record £198million transfer deal.
And, with the new La Liga season on the horizon, Ernesto Valverde is intensifying his efforts to land a marquee replacement.
Barcelona are heavily pursuing Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, but the Reds have so far fended off interest for their No10 despite his desire to leave Merseyside.
Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele is another being considered - though the Bundesliga giants want at least £100million for the wing wizard.
Lionel Messi would love Barcelona to sign Tottenham and Real Madrid players Dele Alli and Marco Asensio
Reports in recent days, however, have tipped two other players to make the move to the Nou Camp.
Barcelona are supposedly willing to trigger Marco Asensio's £72million release clause at Real Madrid, while Tottenham's Dele Alli reportedly wants to play alongside Lionel Messi.
And now, Spanish outlet Don Balon claim Messi wants both stars to touch down.
It is said he feels Alli can be the key to a bright future under Valverde, particularly given how he scored 22 goals from 52 games for Spurs last season.
GETTY
Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to complete a deal for Tottenham ace Dele Alli
GETTY
Lionel Messi thinks Real Madrid wonderkid Marco Asensio would thrive at Barcelona
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
And he also reckons the midfielder's huge physical prescence could lead to a stunning partnership with Sergio Busquets, who showed signs of slowing down last term.
The report adds Barcelona's No10 reckons Real Madrid's Asensio would be a stunning buy.
But club chiefs supposedly declined his suggestion, perhaps realising the impact such a controversial signing could have following an already drama-filled summer.
