Lionel Messi has been left exasperated by Barcelona's move for Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho.
Barca sports chief Robert Fernandez remains in talks with Guangzhou over a fee for the Brazil international.
And the developments have left Messi frustrated, says Don Balon.
Messi urged management, during his new contract talks, to lift the standard of their recruiting and is simply unconvinced by the impact Paulinho can make. But the doubts run further, with the Argentine learning that coach Ernesto Valverde also hasn't requested Paulinho's signing.
Knowing that Valverde hasn't plans for Paulinho has only added to Messi's frustration as he waits for Robert to make a big splash in the transfer market this summer.