Lionel Messi Transfer Rumours: Latest News and Speculation on Barcelona Star

Speculation over the future of Lionel Messi—following comments from the player that appeared to hint at a Barcelona exit—continues to swirl as Europe's top clubs position themselves to capitalise. 

Continue for updates.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Manchester City's Inside Man

Sergio Aguero has confessed he will try to talk Messi into a huge move to Manchester City. Aguero told Mundo Deportivo, per ESPN:

"

It will be difficult to convince him, but I will try.

It would be good if all the great players were in the Premier League.

"

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Guardiola Doesn't Want Messi at Bayern

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola will not be offering Messi a route out of Barcelona, admitting he hopes the player retires at Camp Nou. Jamie Anderson of the Express quotes Guardiola saying of Messi:

"

I hope that Messi will end his career with Barcelona, because he has given so much to the club and he loves the club.

"

Friday, Nov. 21

Barca President Calms Messi Exit Talk

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is convinced Messi will not be leaving Barcelona any time soon, insisting any pressure on the global star comes from outside the club. AS quotes Bartomeu saying to Channel 8TV:

"

Leo is really happy at our club; his father has told me so, although he’s been under great deal of pressure off the pitch. He hasn’t asked us for a new contract renewal. No, no. He’s happy. We always help the players at this club, and Guardiola also said the same a few years ago. Leo is happy at Barça.

"

Luis Enrique echoed his president's view, per AS:

Thursday, Nov. 20

English Clubs Queue Up for Messi

Following Lionel Messi's admission that his career may not necessarily finish at Barcelona, per Argentine newspaper Ole (h/t Goal.com's Ben Hayward), a host of transfer rumours relating to his future have emerged.

Some of the world's biggest clubs are now on alert that the fabled Argentina star may be more available than once thought, with the titans of England in particular hurrying to lead the chase.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

According to the Daily Star's Colin Harvey, big spenders Chelsea and Manchester City—arguably the two strongest teams in the Premier League at present—are at the head of the queue, with Manchester United and Arsenal trailing.

Harvey reports that Messi's £200 million release clause means only a select few sides can afford to keep up in the race to seal arguably this generation's best player.

However, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain are also mentioned as clubs in a prime position to accommodate the financial dimensions of what would likely be the most expensive transfer in history.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

It gives new meaning to the question of how Messi would fare on a cold February night at Stoke City, although the prospects of moving to France or Italy may be seen as more appealing by the Blaugrana talisman.

Having only played with the attacker for several months following his move to the Camp Nou from Sevilla, Ivan Rakitic is one player hoping Messi remains in his current setting, according to Goal.com:

However, Manchester United may not be out of the hunt just yet. After spending more than £150 million this past summer, they are said by Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express to be among the clubs in pole position.

Having missed out on Champions League football this season in the wake of their post-Sir Alex Ferguson decline, BBC News reported that the Red Devils experienced a fall in revenue of 9.9 percent in 2014-15.

It was always expected the absence of European competition would restrict the windfall from television revenue, merchandise and sales, but it nonetheless puts the club in a weaker position to contend financially.

At least, that's what one would think. Going into further debt isn't something the fans would encourage, but the chance to sign a talent of Messi's stature isn't one that comes about very often.

Arsenal would be considered the least likely of the mentioned Premier League quartet to land Messi, given their reputation for struggling to compete in the market.

Arsene Wenger may be in as much need of the move as any of his management peers, too, with Bleacher Report's James McNicholas discussing the Frenchman's potential exit from the club after a drop in results:

Club and international team-mate Javier Mascherano is ignoring any talk of an exit for the time being. His focus remains firmly on what Messi can do with his time remaining at the Camp Nou.

He is quoted by Spanish newspaper AS: “I cannot comment about something I did not say. He is fine and he wants to keep winning with Barça. I do not see any discontent with Barcelona or with the national team. He is in a good moment.”

Jon Super/Associated Press

While Messi has admitted that his career may not end with Barcelona, he's yet to give any indication of when a supposed departure will actually come to pass—if at all.

However, Europe's elite must inevitably be as prepared as possible for that eventuality, and England's clubs in particular are hoping to take advantage of a transfer that could shake the sport to its core.