Barcelona transfer news: Messi blocks Coutinho move, Griezmann's future and more - 16th December 2017

Lionel Messi wants club to sign Coutinho alternative

The Argentine superstar believes that signing the Liverpool no.10 in January will cost a fortune, especially after getting three bids rejected in the summer. While Coutinho remains keen on joining Ernesto Valverde's side, the deal could prove to be easier to complete in the summer than in January.

Thus, Spanish news outlet, Don Balon, believe that Messi does not want the club to waste their time pursuing Coutinho in January. Instead, the 30-year old has reportedly told the board to try and sign Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) playmaker, Javier Pastore. The fellow Argentine has currently fallen out of favour with Unai Emery at the French club and is looking for pastures new with the World Cup on the horizon.

Though Messi believes the attacking midfielder could prove to be a good fit, the fractured relationship between both clubs due to the world-record Neymar deal could make it more difficult to sign the 28-year old than La Pulga would expect. Nevertheless, it definitely makes sense to sign a quality player like Pastore in January while going for the big-money target, Coutinho during the summer.

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Atletico president talks about Griezmann's future

A move in January?

The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from the capital club for a while now. Manchester United have come the closest to sign the player during the summer, with Griezmann himself rating the possibility of a move to be six out of ten. However, he went on to sign a new contract after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Atletico's FIFA transfer embargo.

Meanwhile, Neymar's departure to PSG led to the Blaugrana identifying Griezmann as the right replacement but decided to wait till 2018 as Griezmann wanted to stay with his current club due to the transfer embargo. However, Barcelona have reportedly made inroads for a possible deal with Marca recently stating that the Spanish club are much ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign the 26-year old.

Now, Atletico Madrid president, Enrique Cerezo, spoke about the situation and refused to be drawn into confirming any of the rumours. As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Cerezo said:

"If in Barcelona they assure that [Griezmann will move to the Nou Camp] ask them, I am not going to say anything. You should ask them."

While the club president did not confirm any news of a deal being agreed as one would expect, it is, however, his neutral stance towards keeping Griezmann which should serve as a huge boost to Barcelona.

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Madrid looking to sign Arthur ahead of Barcelona

Madrid looking to hijack Barcelona's Arthur deal

The Gremio midfielder was clicked in a Barcelona jersey after his club's Copa Libertadores victory, upsetting the Brazilian club and resulting in an apology from Barcelona. However, Gremio's hierarchy have come out and stated on the situation being normal between both the clubs and that they would consider selling the player if the right offer arrives.

Now, in a news that will both worry and infuriate the Blaugrana fans, Spanish outlet, Sport reports that Real Madrid are looking to hijack the deal. Madrid president, Florentino Perez, is reportedly in talks with the directors of the Brazilian club and is willing to pay Arthur's €50 million release clause as well.

The 21-year old is considered to be one of the best upcoming Brazilian talents and is wanted by the English side, Chelsea, as per several reports. While Arthur would prove to be a good fit for Valverde's side, Perez could just trigger the release clause to get one over the arch-rivals despite possessing Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente and Mateo Kovacic as back-ups at the Bernabeu. This could see an interesting battle in the upcoming January transfer window.