Barcelona star Lionel Messi puts pressure on Barca to sign Real Madrid transfer target

LIONEL MESSI is reportedly eager for Barcelona to beat Real Madrid to a deal for Real Sociedad right-back Alvaro Odriozola

Barcelona are flying at the top of La Liga and will be hoping to extend their lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid when they face Las Palmas tomorrow night.

Ernesto Valverde's side are also into the Copa del Rey final and their treble hopes are alive with the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea still to come.

Barcelona are not resting on their laurels though and Messi is apparently trying to have an influence on the club as they plan their summer transfer business.

The latest reports in Spain suggest the 30-year-old talisman wants Barca to get one over on arch-rivals Real.

According to Diario Gol, Messi is desperate for Barcelona to sign a new right-back.

Sergi Roberto has slotted in there since Dani Alves left but he's first and foremost a midfielder.

And Messi is keen for Odriozola to be brought in ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

Diario Gol claim Messi is putting pressure on Barcelona to sign the Sociedad ace via his representatives.

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Alvaro Odriozola has impressed at Real Sociedad this season

And he's keen for them to meet the 22-year-old's £35m (€40m) release clause in order to ensure a deal gets over the line