Real Madrid were expected to go out swinging in the transfer window this time around after being relatively dormant over the past couple of ones. And they were taking no prisoners the way they’ve already gone about their business. Having secured the services of most of their top targets, they look all set to close the gap with Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are struggling to find their feet in the transfer market. Now Lionel Messi has urged the club to show more ambition and wants the Cules to sign up 5 players before the window is shut.
The first among them is Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels as a replacement for Jasper Cillessen. Casteels is affordable at around €10 million and will not mind playing second fiddle to Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Secondly, Messi wants Barcelona to sign Junior Firpo, the Real Betis defender who, at 22, has already become one of the best defenders in the league. Firpo would be a good replacement for Jordi Alba whose future is also pretty unclear at the moment.
Though the Matthijs De Ligt saga has now dragged on for longer than it should have, he is still wanted at Barcelona. Now to address the elephant in the room, Messi wants Barcelona to get Neymar back on board. However, given the way the parties left their relationship a couple of summers back, it could prove to be quite complicated.
Messi is also keen on Griezmann and as per the report, Barcelona will announce the Frenchman’s signing in the first week of July.