Lionel Messi has reportedly asked that Barcelona sign Sergio Aguero from Manchester City as part of the terms of his new contract.
Sport says that the player’s representatives and the club are close to an agreement on Messi’s financial package but the forward has concerns over the team going forward.
A salary of €20m per year with €4m in bonuses has been settled, not signed, and Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi has allegedly asked on behalf of his son that Aguero be made Barca’s top transfer target.
Messi is said to want to ensure Barca have a team that can compete for trophies and sees the signing of his ‘friend and compatriot’ as part of that.
Along with Aguero, Messi wants Jose Pinto’s contract renewed. The pair are said to be very close friends but it was expected Pinto would leave Camp Nou this summer.
It was hoped Messi’s contract would be finalised before the World Cup, although that is no longer considered certain.
Catalonian television has claimed that Messi and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta are not on good terms as a result of the negotiation process, and from when Pinto’s departure became likely.
Aguero previously played for Atletico Madrid, leaving Vicente Calderon for the Etihad Stadium in 2011. He scored 101 goals in 234 games for Los Colchoneros.
