Barca Superstar Lionel Messi Dead-Against Griezmann Arrival at Expense of Misfiring Teammate

Lionel Messi does not want to see Luis Suarez replaced by Antoine Griezmann if the Barcelona striker is sold in favour of bringing in the Atletico Madrid star.

Don Balon (h/t the Daily Star) has claimed that Griezmann is being lined up by the Catalan heavyweights as a like for like replacement for Suarez, who has failed to hit the heights of previous seasons.

However Messi, who is believed to hold considerable sway in the corridors of power in Catalonia, is against the France international moving to Nou Camp if it means that Suarez would be let go.

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Griezmann and Suarez have both only scored three goals each in 2017/18 as the duo struggle to find the back of the net for their respective clubs.

It is the Uruguayan, though, whose time with Barcelona has come under intense pressure due to his lack of goals, despite La Blaugrana sitting at the top of La Liga.

Barca's famous 'MSN' attacking trio has already been deprived of one of its formidable attackers when Neymar was sold to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, and the departure of Suarez would all but end that magical fearsome front three.

Griezmann, who has been touted as a Manchester United transfer target more times than you can shake a stick at, has been installed as the man to potentially replace Suarez under Ernesto Valverde.

Messi would be against such a move occurring though, and Valverde will be acutely aware of not upsetting the club's biggest name in the pursuit of Atletico's main striker.

Valverde himself admitted that he was not concerned with Suarez's form this term, and backed the ex-Liverpool superstar to refind his shooting boots.

He said: “We talk a lot about Suarez lately, but I'm pleased to have him because of how he works and all the things he gives us.

"He is a killer. Despite the fact he's not scoring lately, he always has chances, [against Sevilla] too. And that is a good sign."