Lionel Messi: Barcelona star requests Ernesto Valverde sign Manchester City star

Barcelona have made a brilliant start to La Liga this season and already sit 10 points clear of rivals Real Madrid.

Despite losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain last summer the club splashed the cash on Ousmane Dembele after failing to sign Philippe Coutinho.

Barca are expected to go after the Brazilian once again in January but Liverpool remain adamant he won’t be sold.

And with the Catalan giants realising a move for Coutinho may be off the table, Lionel Messi has put forward his suggestion to Ernesto Valverde.

LIONEL MESSI SIGNS NEW BARCELONA CONTRACT

Spanish publication Diario Gol claim Messi has suggested the club turn their attention to City’s Silva.

The 24-year-old only signed from Monaco last summer but has failed to get the game time he expected.

With Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and David Silva all in fine form, Bernardo Silva has found starts hard to come by.

The 23-year-old has not been helped by the fact he only started training with City in August, after the club’s pre-season tour. 

And Messi feels Silva would be a good addition to the Nou Camp if they can persuade him to leave City.

Diario Gol claim a move could be made easier with Jorge Mendes acting as his agent with the Portuguese already representing Barca players Andre Gomes and Nelson Semedo.

Barca are on the lookout for fresh attacking talent with the likes of Dnis Suarez, Andre Gomes and Arda Turan failing to make the grade.

Silva’s current contract at the Eithad runs until 2022.