Messi keen for Barca to hijack Arsenal target

According to reports, Lionel Messi has urged Barcelona to move in on Arsenal and Manchester United target Leon Goretzka.

The Germany midfielder is out of contract with Schalke at the end of the season and has been tipped for a January move.

According to Diario Gol, Messi has asked the club’s hierarchy to act quickly to sign Goretzka, with the outlet suggesting Messi sees the German as the most natural heir to the ageing Andres Iniesta.

Mesut Ozil had been suggested to be on Barcelona’s radar, but rumours of a return to Spain have dampened since Arsene Wenger claimed the German would not be sold in the New Year.

Goretzka appears to be the ideal replacement for Ozil, but the Gunners also face competition from Bayern Munich.

Should he remain in Schalke until the summer, Goretzka will be free to begin preliminary contract negotiations from the turn of the year.=