Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and More

There is storm brewing at the Camp Nou, as some of Barcelona's senior players lean towards discontent and disharmony.

And when Lionel Messi starts to feel uncomfortable in his own skin—the supporters and global press take note.

Sid Lowe of ESPN FC recently reported on Messi's words that "football is full of unexpected twists and turns" and "sometimes not everything turns out the way you want," with Catalan newspaper Sport describing the Argentinian's comments as "worrying."

Lowe says Messi's stance clearly indicates how delicate his situation at Barca is, with presidential elections soon to follow and a court case for tax evasion, as described by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC.

Here is the latest news about Barcelona's wizard, as well as the gossip surrounding Gerard Pique and more:

Lionel Messi

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It was only until very recently that the idea of Lionel Messi playing for any other club in Europe would have been preposterous and laughed out of town.

But here we stand, only a few months into the season—and it seems that Messi is unhappy under the current regime at Barca.

And now Carlo Ancelotti has fuelled and fanned the prospective fire by saying he would be interested in buying the player, should he ever become available.

The audacious capture would see Messi paired with Cristiano Ronaldo, and form the greatest fantasy football team in history.

At his press conference on Friday, the Galacticos boss dropped his bombshell, per Alec Fenn of Goal.com:

"Messi could be a fix at Real Madrid? All quality teams have space in their side for quality players."

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

You can read the Italian coach's statement in one of two ways: He is either deliberately stoking the flames where he can currently see smoke, or he is stating a possible future intention—if Messi wants a new challenge in his career.

Messi at Los Blancos would be frightening and unthinkable—both for Barcelona fans and for Madrid's other opponents.

With the pace of CR7 and Gareth Bale, the skill of James Rodriguez and the control of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, the addition of Messi would make Madrid unstoppable—he would be the ultimate Galactico signing.

And when you consider Messi's current form, during a spell where he is allegedly unhappy, his stats show he has lost none of his potency.

The attacking midfielder has 11 goals from his 15 La Liga and Champions League games, per WhoScored.com, as well as nine assists.

There certainly is not a lot wrong with the player's current game.

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But Lowe highlights in his article that Barcelona players have jettisoned out of the Camp Nou during previous times, and Messi could follow suit if he no longer feels attached:

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The best players in Barcelona's recent history have had a nasty habit of leaving out a back door that has been left open for them. Now some saw the threat hanging over them once more: Messi could head the same way as Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Romario, Bernd Schuster or Samuel Eto'o.

"

Barca fans will be biting their nails as they watch the Messi soap opera unfold before them. The player has not yet said he wishes to leave, but he is making the kind of noises that supporters hate to hear from their players.

Gerard Pique

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Reports suggest Luis Enrique has had enough of Gerard Pique, with the manager believing the Spanish centre-back is "unprofessional."

Ben Jefferson of the Express writes that the Camp Nou boss was disappointed after Pique was found to be using his mobile phone while on the bench, and this could now trigger his exit from the club—with Manchester United and Chelsea both keen to capture him.

But the player has denied he is trying to leave the Catalan team, instead saying how much he loves the football club, per Jefferson:

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I think not to play two or three matches (and then leave) would not be consistent. Barcelona is my life and I do not plan to leave. I will continue to fight for a place.

"

However, summer signing Thomas Vermaelen is now close to full fitness and could push Pique out of the squad altogether. 

Pique is still a quality player, and he has Premier League experience—These two elements will see English clubs want him.

But if he really wants to stay at the Camp Nou, it is unlikely he will get any real playing time while Enrique is still the manager of the team.

Lars Bender

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With the real possibility of a two-year transfer ban on the cards, Barcelona are in the hunt for German midfielder Lars Bender.

The Metro say Enrique has joined Arsenal in the race to capture the much talked-about international.

The newspaper reports Arsene Wenger will try to push through a £19 million offer for the Bayer Leverkusen star after failing in his attempt to land Sami Khedira—who could remain at Real Madrid after Luka Modric's most recent injury.

The 25-year-old Bender is rated as one of the Bundesliga's burgeoning talents and has attracted interest in most of the recent transfer windows.

He has featured eight times for his team in the German league this season, per WhoScored.com, and has Champions League experience—something Enrique will be attracted to.

But the transition at Barcelona could see Bender believe his best option is north London, with the riches of the Premier League burning brightly in his eyes.

The problems of Messi and Pique are not good public relations for the club, especially when Barca were once the most desirable team in Europe.

Bender would be a great buy, and at £19 million he is very affordable considering his talent and potential. But maybe Enrique needs to solve the unravelling riddles that are currently at his club before he attempts to spend any more money.