Messi asks Barça the signing of the new Xavi Hernández to retire Iniesta

The Argentine star increases the degree of pressure on Bartomeu for the winter market.

Lionel Messi has very clear things. And Josep María Bartomeu , too. So much that, otherwise, the president of Barca would not have achieved the signature and photo with the Argentine star in his office.

The negotiations were stopped because Messi had many doubts. He was upset by Neymar's departure - although now he's blessing her - and the lack of big signings to get a winning team. Able to return to conquer the Champions League .

The doubts have been dissipating. The first was related to Ernesto Valverde. The tune between the Extremadura coach and the star of Barça is total. Reason for tranquility.

Now we just need to prop up the team. And for this we must meet the needs of Valverde and Messi, for their style of play. It takes a crack for the middle of the field.

The desired is Philippe Coutinho, because it replaces the lack of a creative means and, at the same time, the need to have a player capable of generating danger by left wing.

It is necessary to cover the vacancy of Neymarbecause, although Dembelé could also do it when he returns, he feels more comfortable on the right. Coutinho , on the other hand, performs wonderfully playing on foot changed by the left-handed side.

" I want the new Xavi"

But in the absence of confirmation of the arrival of the Brazilian crack - Liverpool is making it very difficult - Messi left one thing clear to the president: " I want the new Xavi.

Carles Aleñá has a similar profile, but he is a player more of the future than of the present. At the moment, he is the top scorer of the subsidiary with five goals and always fulfills that he plays. Patience.

For this reason another is needed. Neither Rakitic is Xavi, nor Paulinho is Xavi , nor Sergi Roberto is Xavi , nor Denis Suárez is Xavi. The only thing Xavi can do is Iniesta.

But Iniesta's retirement is just around the corner. Although Valverde has recovered his best version, the physique of La Mancha is limited. He does not play the full games anymore.

Therefore, we must continue searching. MarcoVerratti was the first option, but Neymar made her fly through the air when she signed for PSG.

The second option was Seri , from Nice . Messihimself discarded it when he understood that it was better to make an effort for Coutinho and throw the house out the window if necessary.

Arthur, the new star of the Libertadores

Now, a third cheaper option has emerged, compatible with the Brazilian's signing. And it's another carioca: Arthur Henrique Ramos de Oliveira Melo , only 21 years old.

Robert Fernández  and  Urbano Ortega have been following him. And soon they corroborated at the Stadium of La Fortaleza technical virtues.

The midfielder of the  Guild was elected  MVP of the Copa Libertadores , which his team picked up in Lanús.

" My idol is Iniesta, " Arthur confessed to the newspaper Olé  after the final. However, there all point to him as the player most similar to  Xavi Hernández  in South America.