LIONEL MESSI WOULD be “delighted” if his Argentine World Cup teammate Gonzalo Higuaín joined him at Barcelona.
The Napoli front man has been strongly linked with a move to the Nou Camp this summer, with Spanish newspapers Marca and El Mundo Deportivo, as well as radio station COPE, suggesting that the deal is already done.
Higuaín was with Barca’s bitter rivals Real Madrid from 2007 until 2013, when he switched to the Serie A for a reported €40 million fee. The 26-year-old originally developed at Argentinian club River Plate and has won 37 caps for his country.
The striker’s next move may see him returning to Spain.
“I have spoken to “Pipa” (Higuaín). Obviously, it would delight me if this happened,” said Messi of the Napoli striker, who could provide Barcelona with desperately-needed muscle up front.
He is one of the world’s best strikers and it would be great for us.”
Higuaín has played down any suggestions that a move was imminent following the reports in Spain that the transfer has been agreed.
“I’m not looking after it. My mind is on the World Cup,” Higuain said.
- Additional reporting by TheScore.ie.
