Antoine Griezmann urges Lionel Messi to remain at Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann has admitted that the Barcelona first-team squad do not want Lionel Messi to leave Camp Nou.

Having expressed a desire to end his association with the Catalan giants, the superstar is being heavily linked with a summer transfer to Manchester City.

Despite opinion being divided behind the scenes, Griezmann has acknowledged that he and his teammates are hoping that the 33-year-old has a change of heart in the coming days.

Speaking to M6, the playmaker said: "We only hope that he stays. I am trying to stay focused on the national team and prepare well for the next two games.

"We have heard a little of everything but we don't know anything else about all this affair."

Earlier this week, Messi's father Jorge travelled to Barcelona to hold discussions with the powers-that-be at the La Liga outfit, optimistic that a resolution could be found when speaking face to face.

However, it has since been reported that club officials remain against selling Messi for anything below his £630m release clause.