Messi: Barcelona star asks Ernesto Valverde to accelerate Philippe Coutinho transfer deal

Barcelona failed to sign Coutinho over the summer with Liverpool snubbing three separate bids for the Brazil international.

But, while Paris Saint-Germain have also joined the race for the 25-year-old, Barcelona’s interest remains strong and talk of a January move continues to rumble on.

And Spanish website Diario Gol say that Messi wants Barcelona to secure his signing at the earliest opportunity.

The Catalan giants tied club legend Andres Iniesta down with a lifetime contract last month, despite the player struggling for game time.

The brutal fact is that Iniesta is a far cry from the player he was earlier in his Barcelona career.

And Messi is supposedly aware the Spain international is struggling to hit top form for Barcelona.

Consequently, Diario Gol say the 30-year-old wants the club to secure the signature of Coutinho.

As touched on above, Liverpool resisted Barcelona’s efforts to sign the playmaker during the summer window.

Barca did, however, seal a £96million deal for Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Ousmane Dembele.

But Messi feels a long-term replacement for Iniesta is what is needed for the club to continue to compete for major honours.

Coutinho’s arrival could be key to the Barcelona talisman’s own future.

Messi’s contract expires in the summer, meaning he is free to negotiate with clubs in the New Year.

And he supposedly wants a marquee signing in order to extend his Nou Camp stay.