Arsenal Transfer News: Michy Batshuayi and Lionel Messi Double Blow for Gunners

Arsenal will reportedly have to compete with Chelsea for the signature of Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, while a move away from Barcelona for Lionel Messi is "impossible," according to La Liga's president.

Batshuayi has been linked with a potential move to Arsenal, but the Blues are now showing an interest in the £24.5 million-rated Belgian, per Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).

This is something of a blow for the Gunners as Chelsea may well be able to offer Batshuayi greater financial incentives to move to west London.

The Blues also have a huge incentive to sign the 22-year-old Batshuayi as Diego Costa is out of form in the Chelsea attack and Jose Mourinho's side have been struggling this season, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Marseille are clearly open to selling on Batshuayi and club president Labrune Vincent has set the price, per Brus:

"Any club interested in having Michy Batshuayi services will have to pay €35 million (£24.5 million). Right now he is one of the most closely watched market players."

He is thus very affordable for both Chelsea and the Gunners and an attractive young prospect having netted eight times in 13 Ligue 1 games this season, per WhoScored.com.

The Belgium international is also reportedly being eyed by Spanish side Valencia, per La Liga writer Andrew Gaffney:

A clinical finisher, Batshuayi could be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad as cover and competition for Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud. However, they will seemingly have to scrap hard to sign him.

Meanwhile, La Liga President Javier Tebas has poured cold water on any prospect of Argentine superstar Messi leaving the Camp Nou.

Speculative recent reports indicated that the 28-year-old may be open to a move to Arsenal, per Dave Woods of Daily Star.

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However, Tebas does not believe that will happen, per Spanish outlet AS (via Sport): "That Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi leave is like the independence of Catalunya, impossible."

According to Woods' report, Messi's release clause is more than £175 million, which is unsurprising given his immense value to Barcelona.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has been at the Camp Nou his entire professional career and Tebas' comments represent the views of many towards the possibility of Messi leaving Barca any time soon.