Messi wants Di Maria at Barcelona

Lionel Messi has told Barcelona directors to move for PSG winger Angel di Maria this summer.

Messi is close to his Argentina teammate and knows his friend is unsettled in Paris.

A return to Spain – at Barca – was raised during the season and now Le Parisien says Messi is pushing for the deal.

Messi sees Di Maria as an ideal replacement for Arda Turan, who is set to be sold, and his recommendation has been relayed to directors via his father, Jorge.

And Barca’s board are in agreement, believing Di Maria would be a welcome addition.

However, there remains a penalty clause in the player’s contract to navigate courtesy of his time with Real Madrid. The final decision could be left to Real president Florentino Perez, who may be asked to waive the fee in order to help Di Maria make the move.