Messi wants Fabregas and Mascherano at Barcelona

(GETTY IMAGES)

Lionel Messi has put Premier League clubs on high alert after claiming he would like Barcelona to sign both Javier Mascherano and Cesc Fabregas.

Both Liverpool midfielder Mascherano and Arsenal captain Fabregas have been linked with moves to the Camp Nou this summer.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has warned the Spanish and European champions that Argentina international Mascherano is not for sale at any price.

Meanwhile, Fabregas has played down reports linking him with a £40m return to the club he left as a teenager to join the Gunners.

But Messi's suggestion that he would like both players to join him in the Catalan capital is bound to send tremors through the Premier League clubs.

"I hope Mascherano can come and we can form a solid partnership. His qualities are always appreciated," Messi told Sport.

"The same goes for Fabregas. A good footballer like him who can contribute is always welcome."

However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta would be happy if there were no new arrivals at the Camp Nou this summer.

In sharp contrast to the vast amount of money being spent by Real Madrid in the last two months, Barca boss Pep Guardiola has added no new players to a squad that won a famous treble of Champions League, La Liga title and Copa del Rey last term.

Laporta is pleased with that state of affairs, although he accepts there will eventually be some new arrivals.

He said: "If it was down to me then we would not sign anyone.

"I am super calm about all this and, although nobody has yet signed, there will be signings this summer."

Elsewhere, former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon thinks the club can repeat Barcelona's treble-winning 2008-09 campaign in the new season.

Calderon resigned in January but has been impressed by current president Florentino Perez's ability to bring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to the Bernabeu this summer.

He told Canal Sur Radio: "Those are great signings.

"Real Madrid already had a very complete squad and these signings will allow the club to add to their potential and give them the chance to win everything.

"I believe the project is very solid and can triumph."