Barcelona Transfer News: Lionel Messi Backs David Alaba Pursuit in Fresh Rumours

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has reportedly advised the club to pursue Bayern Munich's David Alaba in the summer despite the current solidity of the Blaugrana defence. 

According to Diario Gol (via Goal), Messi is eager for Barca to add defender Alaba to the squad in addition to the likely purchase of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.

Since Ernesto Valverde's installation as Barca boss last summer the Camp Nou giants have become incredibly solid at the back.

They have conceded just 13 goals in 29 La Liga games so far this term, and only twice in eight UEFA Champions League fixtures.

As such, there does not seem to be a pressing need for Barca to make high-profile additions to their back line.

Additionally, Austria international Alaba has played most of his recent football for Bayern at left-back, a position in which Jordi Alba excels for Barca.

However, there could well be wisdom in Messi pointing the Barca hierarchy in Alaba's direction, as the 25-year-old is incredibly versatile.

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Although he plays left-back for Bayern he is also accomplished as a centre-back and is regularly deployed in a defensive midfield role for the Austria national team. 

There have recently been widespread rumours linking Samuel Umtiti with a summer departure from the Camp Nou, most likely to Manchester United, per Javier Giraldo in Sport.

Should that happen then Barca would be short on centre-back options, a problem that could be solved by signing Alaba.

Even if Umtiti, 24, does not depart, Gerard Pique is now in his 30s and could likely do with some more cover and competition.

Equally, Barca would benefit from bolstering their deep-lying midfield region, especially with the underwhelming Andre Gomes likely to depart in the summer, per Marca.

Alaba's versatility makes him an attractive-looking option for Barca, but if they pursue Messi's plan to move for the Bayern youth product, they will likely have to make a huge offer to tempt the German giants into selling.