Barcelona transfer news: Lionel Messi demands four departures amid Coutinho saga - report

LIONEL MESSI has reportedly told Barcelona that four players must be sold before tonight's deadline in the Spanish transfer window.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi leaves defenders for dead

Barcelona are expected to be busy in the final few hours of the Spanish transfer window.

They’re expected to make one last attempt to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool while Angel Di Maria also remains a possibility.

But while incomings are anticipated at the Nou Camp, there also expected to be a number of players to leave the club.

And Messi has reportedly told the club they must get rid of four bit-part players who not up to standard.

Lionel Messi wants four players to be sold by Barcelona todayGETTY

Lionel Messi wants four players to be sold by Barcelona today

According to Spanish news outlet Don Balon, the Argentina international has asked for Arda Turan, Andre Gomes, Thomas Vermaelen and Paco Alcacer.

The latter of which is said to be not be up to the standard wanted by Messi at Barcelona.

The arrival of Ousmane Dembele and Gerard Deulofeu’s return to the Catalan club have pushed Alcacer down the pecking order but Barcelona will want to recoup some of the £27million they paid Valencia for his services.

Turan has equally been told he is surplus to requirements at Barcelona while Gomes and Turan have both been linked with moves away from the Nou Camp all summer.

Barcelona have reportedly lodged a bid close to £138million to test Liverpool's resolve in the final hours of the transfer window.

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