Messi demands that Barcelona beat Real Madrid to Tottenham star

Lionel Messi has reportedly called on Barcelona to beat La Liga rivals Real Madrid to the signature of Tottenham playmaker Dele Alli.

Messi is looking to the future at the Nou Camp, with midfield stalwart Andres Iniesta, 33, in the latter part of his career, while Ivan Rakitic is approaching 30 and there have been doubts over his future under new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde.

The Catalan giants tried and failed to land Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho over the summer, while the latest reports suggest that Schalke and Germany star Leon Goretzka is very much on their radar.

However, according to Spanish media outlet Don Balon, it would appear that Messi wants to see Spurs ace Dele plying his trade in Spain – as long as it isn’t at Real.

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The Madrid outfit have been strongly linked with a move for the 21-year-old over the last six months, but Messi is reportedly demanding that Barca win the race for the England man.

Dele has been quite candid over his future at the north London outfit and would seemingly be open to a move overseas, although that would be a big gamble for a player still in the early stages of career.

Barca would also have to deal with the tough negotiating skills of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who would likely demand more than £100million for the player, given the current going rate for Europe’s top young stars.