Barcelona Transfer News: Martin Montoya Heading to Premier League and More

Martin Montoya looks set to depart Barcelona and Spanish football, with the player considering a switch to the English Premier League.

According to Reuters (h/t The Guardian), the player's agent, Juan de Dios Carrasco, confirmed his client's intentions to leave the Camp Nou in January on Tuesday, with Liverpool a possible destination for the player.

"He is going to go in January and all that has to be done is to reach an agreement with Barcelona," he said. "There are a number of clubs in England that are ready to negotiate for him and his buy-out clause is €20m [£15.9m]."

The 23-year-old right-back is way down the pecking order under Luis Enrique at Barca, and it seems that the Spanish international squad member now feels it is right to ply his trade elsewhere.

WhoScored.com indicates Montoya has started just once for the Catalan team this term after starting 12 times for the Blaugrana in the 2013-14 La Liga campaign.

Dani Alves, Douglas and Adriano are all ahead of him now in the full-back stakes, and fourth choice is not a position the player wishes to occupy.

Despite this, Montoya remains a popular figure amongst Barca supporters and many will be sorry to see him leave for a new challenge.

SCOTT HEPPELL/Associated Press

But Enrique has recently come out and spoken about Montoya, saying he understands the player's frustrations and hinting that he would like him to stay with his team, per Reuters:

"

I know Martín very well and it is difficult for me to rule out players and so imagine what it would be like for a player that I had with me in the youth team. I have only words of praise for his effort and willingness. The situation can change in any moment and he is working hard for that to happen so all I can do is try to motivate him to keep doing what he is doing and make it difficult for his team-mates.

"

Enrique's stance is a positive one for the player, but at Liverpool, he would feature much more heavily as Brendan Rodgers looks to rebuild his limp defence.

Petros Karadjias/Associated Press

In other news, recent Barcelona signing Ivan Rakitic is being linked with a shocking move away from the club, with Manchester United looking to buy the player.

Anthony Chapman of the Express reports United will fight it out with Premier League champions Manchester City for the Croatian's signature, with the player's form receding in recent months.

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN and Andy West of the BBC both highlighted the player's lack of recent involvement, with Corrigan saying Rakitic will be perplexed by his current situation:

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Despite the new rumours, Rakitic has started 11 times for Enrique in La Liga, scoring three times and claiming an assist.

If Rakitic does leave Barca, it will be a strange move from the head coach as he looks to chase down Real Madrid's early dominance. Xavi will soon be departing the team as his legs betray him in age, and Rakitic was seen as a natural replacement for him.

It is surely unlikely Barcelona will let the midfielder go this early in his club career at the Camp Nou.

He is a proven talent at the La Liga level, and if United and City were able to land him for £20 million, per Chapman, Barcelona would have to spend at least that to replace him as they pass through transition under Enrique.