Antoine Griezmann has weighed in on the Lionel Messi transfer saga by stating his hopes for his team-mate to remain at the Nou Camp.
While Messi has agreed to stay on at Barcelona for another season he could move next summer on a free transfer.
The 33-year-old declared in his latest interview he wanted to leave the club but would not enter a legal battle in order to force through a transfer.
And Griezmann has now offered his thoughts on the ongoing standoff between Barca and their captain.
"We are trying to stay updated with the issue, but it is between him and the club," Griezmann told M6 .
"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."
Messi looked on his way out of Barcelona until he made a transfer U-turn after the club insisted he would not be allowed to leave for less than his €700million (£630m) release clause.
He said in an exclusive interview with Goal: "I told the club, including the president (Josep Maria Bartomeu), that I wanted to go. I've been telling him that all year. I believed it was time to step aside.
"I believed that the club needed more young players, new players and I thought my time in Barcelona was over. I felt very sorry because I always said that I wanted to finish my career here."
After Bartomeu blocked his exit Messi felt he had no choice but to remain at Barca until his contract expires next year.
Should Messi leave Barcelona next summer? Have your say below.
He did hint at the prospect of staying on longer though, despite interest from Man City, providing Barcelona are able to compete once more in the Champions League.
Messi added: "Actually, now I don't know what will happen.
"There is a new coach and new ideas. That's good, but then we have to see how the team responds and whether or not it will give us to compete at the top level.
"What I can say is that I'm staying and I'm going to give my best for Barcelona."
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