Messi reportedly wants this player at Barcelona instead of Coutinho

According to reports, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has suggested Javier Pastore to his team as an alternative to Philippe Coutinho.

The Catalan giants made Coutinho a priority target during the summer transfer window and despite making numerous bids, Liverpool refused to sell. They have strongly been linked with the player during the January transfer window.

Spanish source Don Balon has claimed that Messi has suggested Pastore to his team due to the high price that Coutinho would cost.

Pastore has fallen down the pecking order at PSG and the French giants will likely allow him to leave for a decent price as they need to comply with financial fair play rules due to the purchasing of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for hefty amounts.

The report added that club chiefs from Barcelona are however unconvinced by Messi’s suggestion. It does currently look like Coutinho will eventually leave Liverpool and it will be for a hefty amount.