Barcelona transfer news: Messi pushing for Coutinho, Brandt 'honoured' by Barca interest and more - 29th October 2017

Lionel Messi urging the board to sign Philippe Coutinho

The Spanish club have been trying to sign the Brazilian since the summer break, with Liverpool rebuffing every bid. Despite Coutinho going on strike, the English side did not budge and the transfer window closed with Barcelona left waiting.

However, the Catalan club are set to bid again for the player in 2018 and Don Balon reports that Lionel Messi is urging the Barcelona board to sign the player. The news outlet revealed that the Argentine is in direct contact with the club chiefs regarding upcoming transfers and wants the Brazilian as a priority.

It highlights the importance of the player to Barcelona as more reports emerge of a deal being concluded at a lower price in January.

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Julian Brandt responds to Barcelona speculation

Brandt is wanted by several top clubs

The Bayer Leverkusen attacker is one of the best young players in world football and has been linked with Barcelona several times. Now, Brandt addressed the speculation when he spoke to Omnisport and clarified how it does not affect him by saying:

"This is an honour in any case, I will not deny that now. Of course, this is always a sign that your achievements were not for nothing."

"And like I said, of course it reflects your performance on the pitch, but you have to block out something like that in the end. If you always float on a cloud and say: ‘I’m such a cool guy, because this club wants to have me’, this is the wrong way, because then you drop with your achievements.”

The statements only amplify the player's mentality and the 21-year old is set for a move in the near future, to Barcelona or otherwise.

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Messi wants Gomes to be sold in January

Messi (left) wants Gomes (right) sold in January

Andre Gomes signed from Valencia in 2016 and has failed, so far, to nail down a starting spot in Barcelona's midfield. Now, Don Balon reports that Messi's patience has run out with the 24-year old midfielder.

The outlet reports that Messi has told club chiefs to sell the player when the transfer window opens in January. Further, Italian giants Juventus are mentioned to be interested in the player should Barcelona want to sell.

Gomes has been earmarked for departure for quite some time now and given the planned rebuilding in 2018, a transfer looks very likely.