The Brazilian striker left for Paris St-Germain earlier this summer in a record-breaking £198m move.
Since then Barcelona have been linked with Philippe Coutinho and have had three bids rejected.
But Spanish outlet Don Balon claim Messi wants former Manchester United ace Angel di Maria to join him at the Nou Camp.
However, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu is refusing to do business with the Argentine's current club PSG after Neymar’s acrimonious exit.
Yesterday the Spanish outfit announced they would sue their former striker for the way he left them.
Barca are reportedly planning a £138m to finally seal the deal for Coutinho.
And former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn thinks Liverpool should take the money and reinvest before the transfer window closes.
He said on Sky Sports: “I don't know whether Liverpool will sell. Personally, £138m is a lot of money.
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“If the player generally wants to leave, with the length of his contract, the problem is if you keep on to him, the window closes in eight days, can he refocus and deliver what Liverpool expect him to deliver over the rest of his contract?
“Then, does that speculation resurface in January, and then again at the end of the season?
“As a club, I'd look at it and say if the player is adamant he wants to leave, I'd take the money and use it on getting in replacements.
“But it's very late in the window. Also as well, if Coutinho goes for £130m plus, every player they go for will go up 40 or 50 per cent.
“Then you've got to ask 'is Coutinho the most important player for Liverpool at the moment?'
“Probably not if I'm honest. Mane is up there who has a big influence at the football club.”
