BARCELONA DEFENDER SAMUEL Umtiti has rubbished the idea that Lionel Messi has a “black list” of players he wants the club to sign.
A report in Spain surfaced last month suggesting the Argentina star has named a selection of transfers he wants Barca to make before next season.
It is claimed Messi has identified Monaco duo Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, Brazilian youngster Vinicius Junior and Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund as the key players he wants at Camp Nou.
It is also reported the 29-year-old believes Arda Turan, Jeremy Mathieu, Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne and Paco Alcacer should be sold.
Umtiti, however, says composing such a list would be out of character for his team-mate.
“I’m proud to say that Messi is my friend,” he told Telefoot.
Umtiti, who has impressed in his first season in La Liga since joining from Lyon in a €25million deal, believes he has improved by training against Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
“They’re three very good team-mates. We can have a laugh, there’s a good atmosphere between them, as there is with the whole team.”