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Lionel Messi blocks Barcelona’s major signing who will now move to Real Madrid

By Atharva Khadilkar

NAPLES, ITALY - FEBRUARY 25: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona Looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona at Stadio San Paolo on February 25, 2020 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY - FEBRUARY 25: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona Looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona at Stadio San Paolo on February 25, 2020 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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Lionel Messi is thought to be against Barcelona’s move for one of Europe’s best players despite himself recommending his arrival earlier on.

Barcelona are having to contend to Luis Suarez’s absence for almost until the end of this season and things have been difficult for them to say the least. The Uruguay international is involved in a huge number of goals every season and unfortunately, Antoine Griezmann has been unable to replicate those kind of numbers even in Atletico Madrid.

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Whether or not Antoine Griezmann plays regularly in the future, it is pretty clear that the Blaugrana need to invest in landing a striker. Luis Suarez has himself conceded to the fact that he needs replacement and so, this summer could be the perfect time to do so as the ex-Liverpool forward enters the last stages of his career and may be able to guide the new man.

Lionel Messi was thought to have recommended Lautaro Martinez’s name to the Barca board. The Argentinian duo linked up very well and shared a brilliant relationship during last summer’s Copa America. Moreover, Lautaro Martinez has absolutely killed it this season with Inter Milan, who are arguably the favourites to win the Europa League in May.

Diario GOL has now reported that Messi is no more in favour of Martinez with the Blaugrana and has asked the club to look at alternative options. It is thought that Messi believes adding his friends to the Barca dressing room would disrupt the harmony inside it and has thus asked the club to try and go for RB Leipzig’s ace Timo Werner.

Timo Werner is probably a better striker than Lautaro Martinez and costs almost half as much as the Inter Milan man, having scored 27 goals this season as compared to Martinez’s 16. With that said, Martinez deserves the benefit of doubt as Romelu Lukaku is on penalty duties at Inter who play with two strikers in addition as opposed to Werner’s situation.

If Barcelona end up passing up on Lautaro Martinez’s arrival this summer, it is thought that Real Madrid would be the probable destination for the Argentina international. Los Merengues have been struggling for goals this year, plus with Luka Jovic having underperformed in his first year, Perez won’t think twice before breaking the bank.

Next. Messi and Suarez veto Barcelona's generational signing. dark

Between Lautaro Martinez and Timo Werner, who is the more advantageous signing for the Catalans?

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