People

Barcelona Name 2 Top Stars They Will Sign to Help Them Keep Messi

Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 4:53 PM by Stefan Mack Kelly Lippke

- Barcelona have made Aguero and Alaba their top targets this summer

- The duo will become free agents when this season is over

- Barca are hoping they can sign the players in a bid to convince Messi to extend his reign at Camp Nou

PAY ATTENTION: Join Briefly News' Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

Sergio Aguero and David Alaba have emerged as top transfer targets for struggling La Liga outfit Barcelona this summer.

Both Manchester City and Bayern Munich stars will be out of contract with their respective clubs at the end of the ongoing season.

The 32-year-old Argentine is expected to leave the Etihad Stadium outfit after 10 years having stalled on extending his reign with the Premier League club.

He is the club's all-time highest goals scorer with 256 goals and 73 assists in 379 appearances across competitions for the Citizens.

Lionel Messi — David Alaba warming up ahead of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash vs Augsburg earlier this year. Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance.
Source: Getty Images

The former Atletico Madrid forward has also lifted four Premier League titles and other domestic silverware.

Read also

Messi Managed to Escape a Number of Red Cards Earlier in His Career

But he has spent more time on the sidelines as he has now gone a full year without scoring a Premier League goal at the Etihad.

Daily Mail quoting Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans see the striker as the ideal No 9 replacement for Luis Suarez, who joined Atletico Madrid in the summer.

The club is cash strap due to the outbreak of coronavirus but they believe Aguero is an ideal signing to act as a transitional striker ahead of a future bid for Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez or Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund once the pandemic clears.

Barca made attempts to land the Argentine in 2014 but later settled for ex-Liverpool star Luis Suarez but Aguero coming to Camp Nou is also being seen as a way to convince Lionel Messi to stay at the club.

Both Argentines are good friends and it is hoped at the Nou Camp that Aguero's arrival might convince Messi to commit his future to the club.

Read also

Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible skills help Juventus beat Genoa

Alaba is another target whose contract expires in the summer and Barca are keen on his versatility given his ability to play left-back as well as provide cover in the centre of defence.

The 28-year-old has been a regular for Bayern this season, featuring 16 times in the Bundesliga, but his arrival at the Nou Camp could depend on Joan Laporta becoming the club's new president.

Briefly.co.za earlier reported that Lionel Messi was handed a red card for the first time in his Barcelona career during their 3-2 Spanish Super Cup defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

The Catalans missed the chance to lift their first title of 2021 despite taking the lead twice in the encounter.

In spite of taking the lead twice through Antoine Griezmann's brace, an extra minute strike from Inaki Williams sealed the victory for the Lions.

Messi was caught by the Video Assistant Referee swinging his right hook at Asier Villalibre towards the end - the action that got him sent off for the first time in over 750 games for the Blaugrana.