Lionel Messi 'wants Barcelona to sign Neymar over Lautaro Martinez'

Lionel Messi would allegedly prefer Barcelona to favour signing Neymar over Lautaro Martinez during the next transfer window.

While the Catalan giants have been heavily linked with both players, the coronavirus pandemic will realistically ensure that only one of the forwards can be signed later in 2020.

Although club officials view Inter Milan's Martinez as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, a report in Cadena Ser suggests that Messi wants to be reunited with Neymar.

A Barcelona source is said to have told the radio station: "If he had to choose between Lautaro and Neymar, it's obvious Leo Messi prefers the Brazilian."

Despite Neymar having just over two years left on his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, the attacker is likely to cost significantly more money than Martinez.

Much could depend on whether Barcelona are able to raise the required funds through player sales.