Barcelona Transfer News: Lionel Messi Sale Considered, Claims Election Candidate

Barcelona's board has considered cashing in on Lionel Messi, according to presidential candidate Agusti Benedito.

According to Benedito, the current hierarchy's public soundbites don't always match what's going on behind the scenes. He thinks instances such as when Vice President Javier Faus claimed Messi didn't deserve a new deal in 2013 are indicative of their true sentiments, per Goal.com, via ESPN FC:

"

I do not think that was merely clumsiness [by Faus].

No, that was an indication of his real thinking. Perhaps they had other ideas, despite what they have said publicly, and it is a worrying issue because at times it has seemed like they are really not concerned with keeping Messi happy.

Some of their decisions, their quotes and their actions make me believe they were contemplating other possibilities.

…

I do not think anybody would dare sell Messi now. Elections are just around the corner, but in any case I would tell this board to avoid making any big decisions in the few weeks they have left and above all not to do anything crazy.

"

MANU FERNANDEZ/Associated Press

Messi has been linked with a move away from Barcelona throughout this season, per Anthony Chapman of the Express, but various members of the club's board have reaffirmed their desire to keep hold of the star.

Most recently, club President Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted he hopes Messi retires as a Blaugrana player in an interview with Radiogaceta Sports, per AS.

David Ramos/Getty Images

At the moment, you suspect Messi's performances mean the last thing anyone at the club would want to do is sell him, per Squawka Football:

The Argentine has been in sensational form since the turn of the year, helping the Camp Nou club put together an 11-game winning run that Malaga recently ended. He's adapted superbly to a slight tweak to his role in the team and is flourishing in an incisive attacking triumvirate alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar.

The Blaugrana are scheduled to hold elections come the end of the season, and while there may be some truth to what Benedito is saying, there's a good chance this could be the first of a deluge of pre-election politics prior to the polls opening at the Catalan club.