Messi suggests player to be sold

- The Spanish League champions want to buy Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann at the end of this season

- The Camp Nou outfit are yet to find a good replacement for Brazil star, Neymar, who joined PSG last summer

- Argentine superstar has told the club to sell Deulofeu this summer to sign the Frenchman

Lionel Messi has reportedly told Barcelona to sell Gerard Deulofeu once this league season ends later this month.

The 24-year-old joined Premier League side Watford FC in a short time loan deal from Barcelona during the January transfer window having failed to impress after the sale of Neymar to PSG last summer.

However, his short stay at the Vicarage Road outfit has been undermined by a nagging foot injury which has forced him out of action since his winter move.

The Spanish League champions said to be shopping for a high profile player, who could match Neymar’s personality at the club,

Meanwhile, there are claims in Spain that Barca could make a sensational move Neymar, while Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann is also wanted by the Catalans.

Don Balon, claims, Messi has urged Barca chiefs to shift out some fringe players in order to make space for new signings.

The 30-year-old is also desperate to see Griezmann join the Blaugrana as he feels the team lacks a third attacking threat without Neymar.

The Catalan side have already won La Liga and positive results in their final three games will see them go the entire season unbeaten.

But despite their domestic dominance, Barca chiefs are keen to add to the squad this summer in order for them to challenge in the Champions League again.

Deulofeu joined Barcelona as a youngster in 2003, and got promoted to the first team in 2011. He has since then featured for Sevilla, Everton, AC Milan and now Watford – all on loan spell.

He was a member of the Sevilla team that won the Europa League title in the 2014-15 season, while he holds two Spanish Leagues with Barca – 2013 and 2018.

The 24-year-old made his senior debut for the Spanish national team in 2014 and has scored a goal in the process for the La Roja.