Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, has warned his club against signing Mesut Ozil from Arsenal next year.

Messi has asked manager Ernesto Valverde, to return for Liverpool playmaker, Philippe Coutinho.

Mesut signed for Arsenal in a £42.5m transfer from Real Madrid in September 2013.

According to Spanish outlet, Diario Gol, the Argentine has reportedly told Valverde and club president Josep Bartomeu, to prioritise the Brazilian over concerns about Ozil’s frequent dips in form.

Ozil will be out of contract in the summer and could leave Arsenal for free, four years after signing for £42million.

Amid speculation that Barca are ready to put in a bid for the Germany international as early as January, Messi wants the club to sign a young midfielder and believes Ozil at 29 is too old.

He would prefer to wait until June to sign Coutinho, 25, rather than settle for Ozil in January.