The father and agent of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has denied reports that one of his contract demands is for the club to bring in Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Messi is close friends with Aguero and is thought to have spoken to his compatriot about potentially linking up at the Camp Nou.

However, Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, insists his son and client simply does not possess the power to demand the club attempt to sign another player as part of his contract terms.

Jorge Messi told 'Ara Bassas': “I cannot combine an improved contract for my son with demands to sign a player.”

Messi is reportedly on the verge of signing yet another new deal with the Catalan club after rumours circulated that he was unhappy under the current managerial regime.

His lackadaisical display in the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Atletico Madrid raised question marks over the player’s future, especially as his poor body language was so unlike him.

It now appears likely current manager Gerardo Martino will leave in the summer to be replaced by former Barca player Luis Enrique. And it seems the first thing the Barca hierarchy want to tie up heading into a new regime is the future of their star player.