Lionel Messi Wants 3 Barcelona Players Sold Before Signing New Deal

Lionel Messi wants three Barcelona players sold before signing a new contract, according to reports.

Messi scored as Barcelona salvaged a 2-1 win over La Liga minnows Leganes yesterday. 

The result came just five days after a humiliating 4-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi's future is up in the air with his current contract expiring next summer.

Manchester City have been backed to make a £100million bid to try and lure him away from the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

And whether or not their bid is successful may depend on what action Barcelona take.

Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Messi wants three players sold before extending his stay in Catalonia.

The first of those is Jeremy Mathieu, who has endured another poor campaign.

The 33-year-old has looked off the pace when given the nod over the likes of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umiti at the back.

Messi is also said to resent the regular inclusion of Lucas Digne.

Digne signed from PSG in the summer but has toiled when picked over Jordi Alba.

Messi is close friends with Alba and reckons manager Luis Enrique is wrong to trust him so often.

Andre Gomes is another Enrique signing that Barcelona's No 10 wants gone.

The midfielder arrived with big expectations but, despite having Enrique's backing, does not have the support of his team-mates.

The report says that Messi also wants Enrique gone at the end of the season.

Everton and Liverpool bosses Ronald Koeman and Jurgen Klopp have been backed to take over, while Express Sport understands Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is also in the running.