Barcelona news: Lionel Messi agrees with Ernesto Valverde on Javier Mascherano replacement

Barcelona star Lionel Messi agrees with Ernesto Valverde’s two targets to replace Javier Mascherano, according to reports.

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Barcelona news: Lionel Messi and Ernesto Valverde agree on transfer plans

Barcelona could lose Mascherano next month despite Messi’s desperation to see his compatriot stay put.

The veteran has struggled for game time at the back under Ernesto Valverde, with the Catalan giants often settling on a centre-back pairing of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique.

Clubs from the Chinese Super League and MLS are both determined to sign Mascherano and, with the 2018 World Cup on the horizon, the player may move to boost his chances of making Argentina’s squad.

And Spanish website Diario Gol claim Messi and Valverde are both in agreement as to who Barcelona should sign as the 33-year-old’s replacement.

Barcelona have a deal for Yerry Mina done with the Colombia international due to sign at the end of the season.

But Messi feels the club’s centre-back issues needs to be resolved when the transfer window reopens next month.

Diario Gol claim the 30-year-old is a huge admirer of Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte.

Valverde managed the centre-back during his time at the San Mames Stadium and supposedly views him as an ideal target.

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Barcelona news: Lionel Messi expects Javier Mascherano to leave

"Messi and the Barcelona boss are also staunch supporters of Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez.

The 26-year-old has recently emerged as a target for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

But Messi and Valverde would both love to see him move to Barcelona instead.

Meanwhile, speaking in the wake of Umtiti’s injury earlier this month, Valverde hinted at splashing the cash in January.

We have time to evaluate such a signing. In theory, we are happy with the centre-backs we have, but we'll see,” he said.

"You might consider [signing a centre-back] when there are injuries. 

“We know that the injury to Samuel is a lengthy one and we hope he recovers well.

"From [Sergio] Busquets to Lucas Digne there are other solutions we'll have to look at."