Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Lionel Messi, Koke and Dani Alves Rumours

Stories speculating on Barcelona exits for Lionel Messi and Dani Alves are currently doing the rounds in the press as the Blaugrana close in on this season's La Liga title.

Jeremy Mathieu, the duo's team-mate, doesn't believe Messi will depart the Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain, a rumour which continues to crop up. "It's impossible," the French centre-back told RMC (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC). "I can't see Messi at any other club than Barcelona." 

This goes against the comments of former Barca defender Eric Abidal, who told TF1 such a move is a "possibility" if Messi "would like a different challenge," per Holyman.

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Messi has previously insisted he wishes to remain in Catalonia "forever." When you're one of the world's best two footballers, however, the speculation never ends. Messi's recent bout of stunning form—which has catapulted him to the top of this year's Golden Shoe rankings with 32 domestic goals—provides a timely reminder of why he is so important to Barcelona's chances of success.

More likely to leave is Alves, a player whose contract runs out at the end of the season. Spanish publication Sport (h/t Kieran Gill of Daily Mail) indicates Barca and six other teams will make an attempt to sign the Brazilian right-back. 101 Great Goals tweeted the newspaper's headline:

Brendan Rodgers will reportedly target Alves as part of his summer reshuffle, reported by Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo. Rimmer believes the Reds are "set to fight" for a player who is likely to rank among the most in-demand of the next transfer window.

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Sport claims Manchester United may be an attractive prospect for the player, because Louis van Gaal's side can "offer Alves big wages, (and) they could also throw in a bonus for signing on as a free agent," translated by Telegraph Sport.

Of course, Barcelona cannot sign any new players until January of 2016 due to their current transfer ban. Letting Alves leave would be a risky move, as Luis Enrique's side cannot find a world-class replacement until the middle of next season.

That hasn't stopped Barca keeping tabs on potential signings, though. According to Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star, who cites Spanish sources, the side "have declared their interest" in Atletico Madrid's Koke. The creative midfielder is reportedly being lined up as the "natural successor" to Xavi Hernandez, per Anderson's report.

Barca's rumoured interest would be well placed. Koke represents the next generation of Spanish stars once Xavi, Andres Iniesta and the World Cup-winning heroes have retired. His qualities are highlighted below:

While it appears unlikely that Barca fans will wave goodbye to Messi anytime soon, the tenuousness of Alves' future suggests major changes are coming in the next few years. Koke's talent would fit in well at the Camp Nou, where his natural passing game matches the club's philosophy of maintaining possession and looking for pockets of space to work in.

Enrique's plans to overhaul his squad remain in limbo until 2016, but we can expect Barca to spend heavily once FIFA's restrictions are lifted.