Speculation is mounting around the future of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, who could depart this summer with reports claiming that Manchester City are confident of securing a massive £200m deal to sign the Argentine forward.
Pep Guardiola has been handed a massive transfer war-chest ahead of the summer and is ready to use the majority of these funds to land Messi, who is thought to be unhappy with life in Barcelona following an extensive tax evasion trial.
The 29-year-old will have just a year to run on his Barcelona contract by the end of the season and Manchester City are ready to offer as much as £650k-a-week, a deal the Catalan side are unwilling to match.
As talk of a possible Messi exit increases its worth noting that the Nou Camp side are hot on the heels of a number of top young talents, all of which could be signed using the sum accrued from the sale of the Barcelona legend.
Mundo Deportivo believe the La Liga side are very keen on £50m-rated Borussia Dortmund wonder-kid Ousmane Dembele.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a strong spell of form this term, only Emil Forsberg and Thomas Muller have provided more Bundesliga assists in 2016/17, and the French international has also weighed in with 15 goals in all competitions.
Abelieves that PSG midfielder Marco Verratti and Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin are also high up on the club’s wish-list.
Goal.com Italian international Verratti was part of the PSG side that was thumped 6-1 earlier this month but it was noticeable that the 24-year-old was comforted by a number of Barca stars at the final whistle.
The cultured midfielder has been a big hit since leaving Pescara for the Parc des Princes and is considered one of the best young talents in world football and could be seen as a long-term replacement for Xavi.
Barcelona are also keen on luring back former youth team product Hector Bellerin, who may well feel the time is right to leave Arsenal for his native Spain.
The speedy right-back left his hometown club in 2011 and has matured into a top performer, making 87 appearances for the North London side, and Barcelona could well do with fresh options out wide.
Arsene Wenger could well be set to leave Arsenal and that may in turn lead to a number of the first-team squad considering their options, especially if the Emirates Stadium side fails to secure a Champions League berth.