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Lionel Messi DEMANDS Barcelona hijack Man Utd and Real Madrid’s bargain transfer - claim
LIONEL MESSI has reportedly told Barcelona to move for Real Betis’ highly-rated midfielder Fabian Ruiz.
Messi scores sensational goals in Barcelona training
According to shock reports in Spain, Manchester United and Real Madrid are considering meeting the 22-year-old’s €30million (26.3m) release clause.
In the current market that figure is considered a minimal amount and Betis will be sweating on the future of their star man.
Both United and Real are planning to strengthen heavily in the summer and the addition of Ruiz will bolster their midfield ranks.
But Messi apparently wants the Catalan giants to move first to complete the deal ahead of their European rivals.
Don Balon say the Argentina international sees Ruiz as the perfect back-up option to Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho.
A transfer would allow Ernesto Valverde to rest his regular starters against lesser La Liga teams.
Ruiz made 35 appearances for Betis last season and scored three goals but looks set to leave the Estadio Benito Villamarin this transfer window.
Untied are looking to add to their midfield after Michael Carrick retired and Marouane Fellaini looks set to leave on a free.
And Ruiz fits the bill to what manager Jose Mourinho has previously said he is looking for.
“We are going to invest the basic to improve our squad,” Mourinho said.
“We need to find a replacement for [Michael] Carrick and for [Marouane] Fellaini, if he leaves.
“And there is always in a squad, a player or a couple of players, who are not playing a lot and will try to leave.
“So we will touch our squad but more than spend, spend, spend, we believe in the evolution of our players.
“We have some young players that need to take with both hands the opportunities for their evolution.”
But if Messi gets his way then Barcelona could steal a march on Ruiz’s signature.