Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign Angel di Maria

Lionel Messi has told Barcelona that Angel di Maria would be a formidable addition to their midfield, according to El Confidencial.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has enjoyed success with Di Maria with Argentina and maintains a close relationship with him. They are both currently enjoying a training camp with the national side in the USA, possibly inspiring the suggestion that Messi wants to save his team-mate from Manchester United.

Having joined the Red Devils for a British record fee of £59.7million last summer, Di Maria has failed to impress under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal. To add to that, an attempted break in at his home forced his family to move out of their new home and unsettled Di Maria.

STRUGGLES AT OLD TRAFFORD

He has since lost his place in the starting line-up and appeared from the bench against Liverpool last weekend. His cameo appearance did not stop Manchester United winning 2-1, but did little to increase his reputation.

Di Maria was reportedly berated by Van Gaal in the away dressing room after the final whistle for not pulling his weight. It led to more suggestions that he would be sold in the summer.