Barcelona Transfer News: Lionel Messi Exit Dismissed, Neymar Contract Rumours

A high-ranking member of the Barcelona board has rejected speculation linking Lionel Messi with a departure from the Camp Nou, and the club will be happy to hear Neymar hopes to extend his stay in Catalan country.

Blaugrana sporting director Robert Fernandez says the reigning European champions have no knowledge of an alleged £800,000-a-week contract offer from Manchester City, per the Sun (h/t Mirror's Ed Malyon): “We don’t know anything about this offer."

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Messi currently rakes in an astronomical £500,000 a week at Barcelona, but it's said Manchester City's supposed offer would take his annual salary from £26 million to an out-of-this-world sum of £40 million.

The South American maestro has scored three goals in his last three appearances since returning to Luis Enrique's squad from a two-month injury layoff. Breathe Sport highlighted his prolific professional record:

"

Lionel Messi played his 600th senior career game today. He's scored 470 goals to date #GOAT pic.twitter.com/Y7YSsfvCVQ

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) November 28, 2015"

Barca will of course be eager to hang on to the 28-year-old, who first joined their ranks in 2001 and has since gone on to win seven La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and four Ballon d'Or gongs.

According to Malyon's report, Messi is also said to be upset with Barcelona for prioritising the contract of team-mate Neymar above his own, leading to the suggestion of an exit from the club.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Manchester City sit among the elite crop of clubs who could perhaps hold out a hope of bringing the seemingly impossible transfer to reality, with Messi gradually edging toward the latter stages of his career.

One potentially huge factor in the deal is the news that Messi's old Barca mentor Pep Guardiola, currently at the Bayern Munich helm, could arrive in Manchester next year, according to Sky Sports' Spanish expert Guillem Balague:

Fernandez claims to possess no knowledge of City's supposed offer, but the Premier League giants may hold out hope of giving Messi his chance to finally test his talents in a new setting.

Supporters can also feel boosted by Neymar's statement of intent to agree a new deal at the Camp Nou, having spoken to Catalan broadcaster TV3 this week, saying (h/t ESPN.co.uk's Corrigan): "I still have some years left on my contract. I know my father speaks about my future. We are talking about extending the contract, because that is what I want to do."

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

As things stand, Neymar's current contract will expire in the summer of 2018, but Corrigan reported talks have taken place to prolong that agreement by another three years.

Corrigan has suggested the torch could be passing at the Camp Nou, too, with Neymar and Luis Suarez recently thriving in the Argentinian's injury absence:

It's little wonder the Brazil superstar appears to be enjoying his stay at the Camp Nou, having won a European and domestic treble in just his second campaign with Barcelona.

The 23-year-old has 16 goals and eights assists to his name from 17 appearances this season, and news of his desire to become a long-term Blaugrana staple is sure to go down smoothly at Barcelona.