Lionel Messi Transfer Rumours: Latest Buzz, Speculation on Barcelona Star

Lionel Messi has been the subject of rampant transfer speculation, as reports of his unhappiness at Barcelona continue to build up. However, both the Argentine and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu have denied that he's unhappy. 

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Messi Discusses Future Ahead of Ballon d'Or Announcement

Monday, Jan. 12

After praising Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi went on to state that he is unsure of where he play next year, per ESPN's Miguel Delaney:

However, Messi later clarified that his words carried no malice in relation to his Barca future, per Marca:

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No matter what I say, my words get twisted, which is why I often don't speak at all. I'm in no way thinking about leaving.

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Messi, Enrique Deny Rumours of Unhappiness

Saturday, Jan. 10

According to Inside Spanish Football, both Messi and Josep Bartomeu have denied reports of unhappiness and of holding a secret meeting about manager Luis Enrique:

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Messi’s camp has come out and “categorically” denied the reports, insists that no such conversation ever took place after the Copa del Rey win over Elche and the rumours are complete fabricated.

Bartomeu, while in New York to finalise a new deal with Unicef, also denied any conversation of that nature and assured that he was not looking for another manager.

“When I landed [in New York] I real the news and it’s completely false. Nobody has asked me to sack anyone. I went down to the dressing room, of course, like always, but what TV3 said is false. I spoke with Leo, with Neymar, Adriano, Luis Enrique…”

Bartomeu then spoke about the rumours linking Messi with a possible summer move to Chelsea.

“They’re always asking me about this. Leo is happy in Barcelona. He’s the best in the world. He’s been at the club for many years and is very motivated to have a great season with the rest of his teammates. Several weeks ago it was PSG and now it’s the English sides. He does a great job, he’s a leader and we’re very happy with him.”

 

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No matter how unlikely it may seem to some, talk of Lionel Messi's 2015 departure from the Camp Nou continues to grow, with Barcelona striving to hang on to their talismanic talent.

Luis Enrique's below-par performance at the club's helm has intensified indecision among the club's hierarchy, with issues transcending from the pitch and into the boardroom.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Earlier this week, sports director Andoni Zubizarreta was axed from his position, shortly followed by recently retired club legend Carles Puyol stepping down from the assistant role.

Spanish programme Esport Club (h/t SPORT's Josep Capdevila) reported president Josep Maria Bartomeu is in the hunt for a new manager, however, seemingly valuing Messi's talent above any other loyalties. Capdevila writes:

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Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has met with Lionel Messi to show that the Argentine forward has his full support. And aware that means choosing Barca's No. 10 over Luis Enrique, Bartomeu has began to search for a new manager. 

The Catalan show say that Bartomeu met with Messi on Thursday night, after the 5-0 win against Elche. During the conversation, he offered the 27-year-old his total support and to further cool the situation he revealed that Luis Enrique's time in charge is numbered. According to some rumours, Messi may have asked that Frank Rijkaard return.

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It was Rijkaard who handed Messi his Barcelona debut and helped guide the Argentinian ace to two La Liga titles, two Spanish Supercups and the first of his three Champions League titles.

Envisioning Messi's departure from his only European club to date is difficult, and the thought of him leaving in January even more so. The figures attached with his potential transfer restrict only a handful of clubs to the very thought of signing the forward and SPORT hints at just how much it could cost:

However, even at a sum of €640 million (£500 million), it seems the Blaugrana would be reluctant to sell, illustrating just what an essential part of their future the four-time Ballon d'Or winner is.

What's more, Chelsea—one of the clubs linked with Messi—may not be willing to contemplate such negotiations. According to Blues assistant coach Steve Holland, the required sums are just too astronomical to orchestrate a deal, per The Press Association (h/t Eurosport):

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Jose (Mourinho) has made it quite clear that in this window his expectation is that nobody comes and nobody goes. I recall him this time last year saying a similar thing, but a couple of things happened that made us reactive. Manchester United made a huge bid for Juan Mata. Sometimes you have to react.

But the hope and expectation is that nobody leaves and nobody comes. We're happy with what we have. This club conforms with financial fair play—we've brought one or two players in over the last 12 months but it's quite clear that players have been sold to balance the books.

When you look at the numbers being mentioned around the Messi deal, I think it's almost an impossible deal for any club working within the restraints of financial fair play.

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Chelsea have gained a reputation over the last decade and more as one of those giants willing to splurge in order to get the players they want, but even they have a limit.

In a world where the money being exchanged sometimes makes it seem as though anything is possible, it appears we may have reached a ceiling in the transfer market, with Messi its prime indicator.

To put his deal into context, Chelsea would need to break the current transfer record—Gareth Bale's £85 million move to Real Madrid in 2013—more than six times over in order to land Messi.

The 2014 World Cup Golden Ball winner is good, but is he good enough to justify such an expense? Is anyone? Irrespective of the rumours, former Barca team-mate Cesc Fabregas, now at Stamford Bridge, has told Spanish radio programme Al Primer Toque (h/t BBC Sport) Messi is happy at Barca:

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Messi is happy at Barca and they are happy with him. I'm upset they say that I could be mediating for Messi to come to Chelsea. How can I be talking about contracts? I'm only a footballer.

Messi will do what makes him happiest. Personally, as his friend, colleague and footballer, if you gave me the chance to play with him again, I would welcome it. I don't know Luis Enrique. I do know Leo and I doubt very much that what is being said is happening, because he's a very relaxed guy and I've never seen any of that in the three years we spent together.

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Messi may well be relaxed and he's always been regarded as possessing a more humble mindset than his phenomenon status would encourage in others, but perhaps Barca's recent disappointments are proving tiresome.

Barca will hold presidential elections at the end of this season and the future of the club's managerial hot seat will be a big factor in what happens to the squad's biggest star.

David Ramos/Getty Images

This year promises to be one of revolution for Barcelona, who are likely to see changes from top to bottom, only after which are we likely to find out what Messi's plans are moving forward.

The attacker's current deal doesn't expire until 2018, giving Barca some cause for comfort, but Messi's position may not feel completely secure until the club returns to its former glory.