Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi Rumours

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that Lionel Messi has never asked the club to sign Manchester City star Sergio Aguero.

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The two players have linked up together to sensational effect for the Argentina national team down the years, and rumours surfaced last season suggesting that the Blaugrana man was pushing his employers to move for his compatriot, per Rik Sharma of the MailOnline.

But Bartomeu has dismissed the notion that Messi has anything to do with incoming transfers. “Messi has never asked for us to sign him,” said the president when asked about Aguero on RNE’s Radiogaceta Sports (h/t AS). “Messi does not ask about signings it’s not true that he asked the coach to sign him.”

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Aguero has been in blistering form for City this season, and the prospect of seeing him potentially don the iconic Blaugrana jersey is a tantalising scenario for the Camp Nou faithful. As noted by Squawka Football, the Argentine is an irrepressible presence at the point of the champions’ attack:

But at the moment—as wonderful a player as Aguero is—there doesn’t seem to be a spot in the Barcelona attack for him anyway. The attacking triumvirate of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez is beginning to function superbly; even for a player as good as the City man, it’d be tough dislodging any of that trio.

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Barcelona’s pursuit of Suarez last summer—perhaps instead of Aguero—made sense based on the principles of manager Luis Enrique. The Uruguayan’s ferocity at the point of the attack gives the Catalans a raw edge, and his work rate has allowed this team to once again employ a high-octane, pressing style that had been prevalent in the days of Pep Guardiola.

However, Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph thinks City should let Aguero leave if it meant landing the former Liverpool man in return:

City skipper Vincent Kompany claimed Aguero is just as good as two of Barcelona's revered attacking threesome, however, per Marca (h/t sportwitness.ning.com):

"

He's at the same level as two of them. The incredible thing about Leo is his consistency. One can be Messi for a day, but he is Messi every day, every game: two, three goals!

If Kun has his day, he is an amazing player, and I've not seen another like him, but it's the consistency that makes Messi be Messi, and the same goes for Ronaldo.

"

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Aguero’s effervescent brand of centre-forward play would see him become an undeniable hit at the Camp Nou should he hypothetically join. But with the personnel currently available to Enrique, City’s obvious reluctance to keep hold of their star man and Aguero’s perennial injury problems, it’s difficult to see a move materialising.

As noted by Kompany, it’s tough to argue with the notion that Messi is out on his own at the moment. The Barcelona No. 10 has enjoyed a sensational start to the year, but not too long ago, there was a flurry of rumours suggesting he may be looking at leaving the Camp Nou club for Manchester United or Chelsea, according to Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express.

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But in his aforementioned interview, Bartomeu insisted Messi is going nowhere any time soon. “He is happy in Barcelona, in fact he is a Catalan.” said Bartomeu. “Messi has been with us for years and we hope that he hangs his boots up here.”

Here’s a look at why Messi is considered arguably the world’s best player at the moment:

The Argentine is flourishing at Barcelona in a role on the right of the aforementioned threesome, and his performances have been the catalyst for the club’s stunning improvement in form of late. After a slow start to the season by his immensely high standards, the genial Argentine looks to be back at full tilt once again.

Whether he will retire at Barcelona remains to be seen, though. Messi seems to have an insatiable desire to break every record in the book for the Catalans, and while he’s on his way there, you can bet he’ll be keen sampling much more silverware in the Blaugrana jersey. Alongside the likes of Suarez and Neymar, there’s a fine chance more could come his way this season.