Barcelona transfer round-up: Lionel Messi against Coutinho move, Ronaldo ruins Barca's transfer plans
Messi does not want Coutinho at Camp Nou
Lionel Messi has turned down the idea of Barcelona wanting to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer and instead wants the club to focus on getting his international teammate Paulo Dybala.
Spanish journal Mundo Deportivo understands that Messi does not want Coutinho in the side as he lacks a goal threat and is inconsistent in the big matches. Meanwhile, the Argentine is keen to bring Dybala to Camp Nou and is pushing the board to make an offer beyond £40m for the 23-year-old forward.
Also read: Daily transfer news and rumours roundup - 4th April 2017
Messi’s new contract is fast becoming the most talked about aspect at Barcelona and according to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan side might give in to Messi’s demands and make a move for the Juventus striker.
Ronaldo asks Real Madrid to sign Bernardo Silva
Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to disrupt Barcelona’s summer transfer plans and wants Real Madrid to sign AS Monaco’s Bernardo Silva, according to reports from Spanish journal Diario Gol. Silva has been in sensational form this season and has attracted interest from both Barcelona and Manchester United.
Diario Gol claims Ronaldo knows Bernardo Silva well from their time together at Portugal and the 4-time Ballon d’Or winner does not want Silva to play for Barcelona next season. The La Liga giants will face a tough battle to sign the Portuguese winger as he is contracted to AS Monaco until 2020 and will cost around £60-70m.
Bayern Munich rule out Dybala move
Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti has ruled that his club are out of the race to sign the in-demand striker Paulo Dybala, giving Barcelona a clear path to sign the Argentine striker this summer.
Ancelotti spoke with sports magazine Kickr and said: "Dybala is a very good player but these rumours are a myth. We are focused on our game and the matches that follow it. We have no time to think about these myths."
Mundo Deportivo understands that Dybala has asked his agent to find him a new club this summer with close to three teams chasing his signature. Reports surfaced earlier today of Lionel Messi wanting Dybala at Camp Nou and with Bayern ruling out a move, the Juventus striker could become Barcelona’s first signing of the new season.
Abidal wants Sidibe to join Barcelona
Eric Abidal wants his former club to sign AS Monaco’s full-back Djibril Sidibe ahead of Arsenal's Hector Bellerin.
Speaking about the potential summer move, Abidal said: "I would like Barcelona to sign Djibril Sidibe from Monaco, looking at the current squad and the needs of the club I would sign Sidibe to accompany Sergi Roberto at right-back, but they also can reinforce the other lines."
Sidibe has also been linked with Manchester United following Jose Mourinho’s public outburst with Luke Shaw. The Red Devils are expected to make a £25m move for the French international later in the summer which may force Barcelona to quicken their efforts to sign the young defender.