5 players Lionel Messi wants at Barcelona

Barcelona are expected to win every trophy they compete for. With the Catalan giants close to crashing out of the Champions League and second favourites in the race for the La Liga title, a lot of changes are expected in the summer.

Luis Enrique has already decided that he will step down as Barcelona manager at the end of the summer and with a new manager set to be announced soon, the Blaugrana team might sport a very different look next season.

Lionel Messi is yet to renew his contract, but latest reports from Diario Gol state that the Argentine superstar wants assurances that Barcelona will buy these 5 players before committing his future. Here are 5 players whom Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign in the summer:

#5 Moussa Dembele (Celtic)

Still only 20 years but already a world class talent, Celtic’s Moussa Dembele has been scouted by all the top clubs across Europe. The versatile French forward is tipped for great things in the future and according to Diario Gol, Messi is a huge fan of Dembele’s skill and talent.

Paco Alcacer has not set the world on fire at Barcelona and Dembele could prove to be the perfect signing especially since both Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi himself will be 30 by the time next season kicks off.

Also read: Zinedine Zidane believes Moussa Dembele is one of the best young strikers in the world

Barcelona will need depth and quality players to challenge on all fronts next season and the signing of the 20-year-old prodigy will definitely be a step in the right direction. This season itself, Dembele has scored 31 goals in 43 appearances for the Scottish giants and the video below will show why there is so much hype about the youngster:

#4 Sergi Enrich (Eibar)

A versatile forward who made the headlines for all the wrong reasons earlier in the season (Enrich was caught in a sex-tape scandal with a woman and teammate Antonio Luna), Sergi Enrich has been making headlines for all the right reasons lately.

Easily one of Eibar’s best players, the 27-year-old Spaniard is capable of playing in multiple positions across the front line and has scored an impressive 11 goals so far for the 7^th placed La Liga side.

Also read: The best players in La Liga so far according to stats

While Enrich will only be a back-up forward at Barcelona, the Spaniard brings with him a wealth of experience in La Liga and will be available for a relatively cheap price. Messi reportedly wants quality options off the bench and Enrich could certainly provide a spark of brilliance when called upon.

#3 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin has long been linked with a move back to his childhood club Barcelona. One position Luis Enrique’s side have really struggled is the right-back position.

Ever since the departure of Dani Alves, Messi has not had the same service to him from the right-hand flank. Sergi Roberto has performed a decent job, but he has not been as effective as the Brazilian.

Also read: Barcelona to make Hector Bellerin top priority after scouting him in Bayern Munich game

Aleix Vidal, on the other hand, suffered a horrific injury and his future could well be away from Barcelona next season. With reports of Bellerin being unsatisfied with Arsenal’s performances this season, a big money move to one of the European superpowers might prove too hard to resist for the pacy Spanish right-back.

#2 Isco (Real Madrid)

The most improbable name on this list is Real Madrid’s Isco. The Spaniard’s contract is set to expire next summer and latest reports from Spanish publication Don Balon rather sensationally state that Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign the Spanish playmaker.

Also read: Transfer Rumour: Real Madrid set to replace Isco with former Barcelona superstar

The Golden boy winner has struggled to find regular playing time at Madrid and various reports have suggested that Isco is ready to make a move in the summer. Lionel Messi’s team-mate, Jordi Alba even said that Isco is welcome at Barcelona. Speaking at an event in his hometown Hospitalet de Llobregat, Alba said:

"All good players are welcome. I know him from my time at Valencia and I appreciate him.”

With Andres Iniesta now 32, Messi sees Isco as the perfect replacement for the Barcelona veteran. However, Real Madrid, predictably are wary of selling to their direct rivals and Isco's signing would be very hard for Barcelona to pull off.

#1 Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Supposedly Barcelona’s primary target in the summer transfer window, Marco Verratti has enhanced his reputation as one of the game’s best midfielders with his stunning performances for Paris Saint-Germain this season.

Speaking to Mediaset Premium after the match against Barcelona, the Italian when asked about interest from Barcelona and other top clubs replied:

“I’m pleased to attract interest from the big clubs, but I don’t want to change, I am part of a great project and we want to become one of the top three in Europe.”

Also read: 'I'd like to see him at Barcelona' - Why even Xavi sees PSG ace Marco Verratti as his heir

With Andre Gomes struggling to live upto the pressure at Barcelona, Messi is desperate for a central midfielder to steady the reigns at Camp Nou and he and the Barcelona board see the Italian as the perfect heir to Barcelona legend Xavi.

A €80 million move for Verratti could convince the Ligue 1 giants to part with their prized asset. With these 5 players, Lionel Messi feels confident that Barcelona can once again become a dominant force in Europe.