Barcelona Transfer News: Buzz Surrounding Lionel Messi and Top Camp Nou Rumours

After Lionel Messi admitted at the Ballon d'Or awards he does not know where he will be playing next season, as reported by Darren Lewis of the Mirror, it now seems Manchester City could be preparing themselves to swoop for the Barcelona genius.

Despite the Argentina captain also proclaiming he would like to end his career at the Camp Nou, per Lewis, his choice of words have sparked furious debate and put City on standby to pounce.

Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror quoted the Premier League champions' manager Manuel Pellegrini speaking to Spanish radio station Onda Cero this week, with the South American refusing to rule out a move for the legendary player:

"

It's normal we [Manchester City] are linked with the best players in the market. At times these rumours come out because of personal interests and not from the club but I'm not saying this has happened in this case.

"

The uncertainly surrounding Messi threatens to derail the Camp Nou super-club's season with Luis Enrique falling under increasing pressure.

Statistically speaking, there is very little wrong with Barcelona—with the club placed just one point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid in the title race, per Sky Sports.

But there is an ambivalence encapsulating Enrique's tenure with many football pundits and commentators believing the coach will be replaced in due course.

Goal.com's Spanish football writer, Ben Hayward, recently spoke about Enrique's reign in Catalonia and suggested the former Barca player was living on borrowed time:

"

Guardiola, Klopp, Koeman, De Boer, Pellegrini? Speculation over who will be Barcelona's coach next season continues with new names in the frame seemingly every day. One thing, however, is almost certain—it won't be Luis Enrique.

With elections to take place in the summer, only a win for current chief Josep Maria Bartomeu could conceivably keep the Asturian coach in a job. That is, of course, if the 44-year-old can complete the season at the Catalan club.

"

Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

And with Enrique's job in the balance as Messi's own future takes centre stage, former Barca prodigy Bojan Krkic has waded into the debate to criticise the Spanish boss.

The Stoke City attacker questioned Enrique's methods and slammed his communication skills—a fact which could damage Messi's personal decision making in the next few months, per Hayward:

"

Luis Enrique is a very uncommunicative coach. He lacks understanding with the players. He was also a player and he should know what it feels like to be in a dressing room. He has a clear idea, working with his staff daily away from the players and there is little dialogue. Everyone has a different type of training and this is his.

"

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

In other news, Barcelona defender Martin Montoya still wants to depart from Enrique's regime despite starting several of the club's recent matches.

Chris Myson of Goal.com reported the player's agent Juan Dios Carrasco has reaffirmed to Cope Montoya's desire to leave in the January transfer window:

"

Since we wrote to the club, Martin has played four times. This made us happy. We would rather he is on the pitch than on the bench or in the stands. But our idea is still the same and the player wants to leave.

We are waiting for the club to select a new sporting director so we can speak with him and find the best possible solution.

"

Montoya is out of contract at the end of the season, entitling him at present to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs abroad, per Myson. 

Myson also says Juventus have confirmed their interest in the right-back but Premier League teams also have the player in their sights.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Barcelona are in a strange place right now and it feels there will be no resolution to the current negative feeling until the presidential elections are held in the summer.

The politics which swirl around Barca and Real Madrid are deafening at times—restricting the impact and sound of both players and their coaches.

Messi's own future will hinge both on the election and Enrique's standing at the Camp Nou between now and the next transfer window.

If the Argentine does not feel the club are heading in the direction he wishes it to, he may believe a new start in Manchester is the best for his brilliant career.