Lionel Messi wants Real Madrid-linked star to join Barcelona instead of Dani Olmo and Nico Williams: Reports

Lionel Messi reportedly wants Real Madrid-linked Julian Alvarez to join Barcelona. The Argentine icon believes the young striker would be better at the Catalan side and help improve them.

As per a report in FC Barcelona Noticias, Messi has urged Barcelona to consider signing the Manchester City star this summer. The 37-year-old believes Alvarez would be a better fit than Nico Williams and Dani Olmo.

Alvarez has left the doors open for a Manchester City exit. Speaking to DIRECTV Sports last month, he expressed disappointment at being left out of the big matches. He said (via Metro):

"I haven't stopped to think about what I'm going to do. When this is over I'll start thinking about what I want for myself. We'll see how things go. Last season I was one of the players who played the most minutes in the team. But it's true, in the end, in important games, you don't like being left out and you want to contribute."

Barcelona are pushing to sign Williams and Olmo this month but have not managed to agree on a deal yet. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Atletico Madrid have made a move for Lionel Messi's teammate Alvarez and are in talks with Manchester City.

One of The Athletic's reports from June revealed that Julian Alvarez was interested in joining Real Madrid more than any other club (via Madrid Xtra's X handle).

Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola unwilling to let Lionel Messi's teammate leave

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he is counting on Julian Alvarez this season. Amid reports that Lionel Messi wants his compatriot to join Barcelona, Guardiola has confirmed that he does not want the 24-year-old to leave this summer.

When quizzed about the future of the striker, the manager said (via BBC):

"No news. I don't have anything to say. He will come back. I count on him, but he said in the news that decisions will be made all together. Now he has to rest and when he feels ready to come back he will come back. I'm sure when he comes back I'll hug and congratulate him for the Copa America, for the Olympics and we will start to work together. This is the reality."

He added:

"What happens in the meantime, I have a thousand million things to think about the team. Next week we play for the first trophy of the season [the Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley]. Two weeks we play at Stamford Bridge again, that's my only concern."

PSG and Atletico Madrid are willing to bid £70 million to sign Lionel Messi's national teammate. Chelsea and Arsenal were also linked with a move for the Argentine this summer.