Lionel Messi have reportedly asked Barcelona to sign his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar this summer.
The Catalan club are interested in the Argentina international and are working to bring him back to Camp Nou when his contract at Parc des Princes ends this June.
However, according to a new report by the Spanish newspaper El Nacional via Sportskeeda, the 35-year-old does not want to come to Barca alone and has asked the club to bring his teammate and friend Neymar Jr along.
Both players share a good relationship on and off the pitch and find themselves in a unquiue position as they have recently been asked by PSG fans to leave the club. They are also both looking to move away from the club, having found criticism from its ultras too hard to bear.
Apart from the criticism from the fans, Messi also thinks that Neymar will be a brilliant attacking addition to Barcelona, with the Brazilian enjoying success during his first spell at the Catalan club.
Neymar was reportedly interested in returning to Camp Nou and confirmed to legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo that he had tried everything to seal a move back to Camp Nou.
However, his request wasn’t granted as it was not financially possible for the La Liga giants to re-sign him, and he had to remain at Parc des Princes.
But he may get his wish this time, as Messi has told club president Joan Laporta to include him in the club’s summer plans.
However, it remains to be seen if Barca can pull off the deal even though PSG are keen to offload the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, Laporta has expressed his desire to sign Messi this summer. The club president told CBS last month that he owes Messi the debt of bringing him back to the club.
“I have known Messi since he was a kid, and I love Leo,” he said.
“I feel in moral debt to Messi. He’s the best player in our history, and I will do my best in order to ensure he can have the best ending of his career with a Barça shirt on. I would like to bring him back. It will not be easy, but we could do it with the correct strategy.
“I think Messi has been the most important player in our history. During a long period of success, he was the leader. He was the one who excited our supporters. We will do our best to have Messi ending his career at Barcelona and being applauded by everyone.”
Besides Barca, Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and MLS side Inter Miami CF are also keen on signing Lionel Messi.
As for Neymar, Premier League sides Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with his signature.
