Manchester United Transfer News: Lionel Messi Rumours Reignited by Spanish Media

Manchester United's unlikely link to Lionel Messi has appeared in the Spanish media once more, with Fichajes (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) suggesting Adidas will help the Red Devils pay the Barcelona star's £200 million release clause.

Sanderson's translation suggests the sportswear giant "could give United extra money" when their sponsorship agreement begins next season. Adidas will pay the Old Trafford side £75 million each year for the next decade, so it could make business sense to see Messi—one of the company's clients—donning the famous stripes each week.

Messi currently wears Nike kits with Barca. Adidas' rumoured willingness to spend on the player isn't a new story, though, as we previously saw the same speculation following Chelsea last year. It's unclear as to how this would work alongside UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, but a simple increase in sponsorship money to pay for the transfer isn't something the governing body can stop.

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United fans will remain realistic. Despite recent rumours linking Messi with a Camp Nou exit, it still seems unlikely he would decide to leave the club at this stage in his career. The 27-year-old combated reports of a fallout between him and Luis Enrique, saying such stories are "lies," according to Barca TV (h/t Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC).

Perhaps more prominently, the Argentinian's terrific run of form continues to highlight his importance to the club. Messi has netted five in four games since the turn of the year, per WhoScored, taking his seasonal tally to 28 in 26 matches across all competitions.

B/R UK's Guillem Balague recently suggested that, while he may be closer to leaving than ever before, Messi will likely remain with the club:

United fans should be focusing on potential winter signings. It's common knowledge Louis van Gaal is looking to spend at the conclusion of the season, but more immediate purchases are needed to ensure United are in the position to lure top stars.

A second year without Champions League football could seriously limit the club's appeal. Although Adidas' arrival will see United gain extra spending power, a place in Europe's elite competition could slip if extra talent isn't purchased within the next two weeks.

Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi could be an option, per David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror. Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels remains on the radar and recently provided United's hopes with a boost even if they don't secure top-level continental football. "I do not think qualification for the Champions League will be the only requirement to be happy," Hummels told Die Welt (h/t Thomas Jacobs of the Daily Mail).

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Messi would be a dream signing for any club, but United must focus on the more realistic possibilities. Central defence remains an area of concern and is one of the major obstacles currently threatening first-season success for Van Gaal.

The Adidas deal is set to benefit United in a major way. Even so, it would be setting a new precedent for the company to grant the club lavish funds to secure Messi's transfer.