The summer transfer window has now closed, shutting the door on one of the most turbulent spells in Barcelona's history.

The Spanish giants were rocked by Lionel Messi's request to leave the club, sparking a bitter contract dispute which ultimately ended with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner reluctantly agreeing to stay for at least another season.

Other notable names such as Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal did leave, though, while Messi's future is sure to be the subject of much more speculation going forward.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news from the Camp Nou.

Friday morning's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup:

Barcelona, Manchester City 'join Liverpool in race for Marcus Thuram'

Barcelona and Manchester City are reportedly preparing to battle Liverpool for the signature of Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Marcus Thuram during next summer's transfer window.

The 23-year-old has been in impressive form for his German club during the 2020-21 campaign, scoring three times and contributing five assists in 10 appearances in all competitions.

A recent report claimed that Liverpool were interested in signing the attacker, who is the son of World Cup winner and France legend Lilian Thuram.

However, according to Bild, both Barca and Man City are also in the hunt for a player who has two goals and two assists in three Champions League outings this season.

Thuram, who has earned a call up to the France squad for the nation's upcoming matches against Finland, Portugal and Sweden, is contracted to Gladbach until June 2023.

The former Sochaux youngster has scored 17 times and registered 14 assists in 49 outings for his current club.

Former Manchester City striker warns club against signing Lionel Messi

Emile Mpenza has warned his former club Manchester City against signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona as other positions instead need to be prioritised.

City were considered the frontrunners to sign the Argentina international in the summer after he announced his desire to leave Camp Nou.

Messi opted to stay at Barca after the club disputed the validity of the release clause in his contract, but he will become a free agent at the end of the campaign.

However, Mpenza does not believe that Pep Guardiola should consider a reunion with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner next summer.

"I think that with all the defensive problems Guardiola has, he doesn't really need someone like Messi," he is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News. "He should sort the leaky defence out first.

"[Vincent] Kompany has left a huge hole at the heart of the defence and City are yet to find the stability they had when Kompany was running the backline. It's a tall order to fill Vincent's shoes and what's the point of signing Messi with all the issues they have at the back?

"They have enough players in his position like [Riyad] Mahrez and [Sergio] Aguero. If they sign Messi that would be too many players for the same position and cause problems. I believe that he will link up with Pep Guardiola again at some point in his career, but not at City itself but rather for their partner club New York City FC.

"Guardiola has managed in three of the best European leagues such as La Liga, the Premier League and Bundesliga with only Serie A missing. For me MLS is his next stop and he will take Messi with him there."

Messi has made a slow start to 2020-21, having failed to score from open play in nine matches.

More transfer news from Barcelona:

Barcelona, Real Madrid 'keeping an eye on Michael Olise'
Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly both monitoring Reading youngster Michael Olise. Read more.

Barcelona, Manchester United 'interested in Nicolo Barella'
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is attracting interest from Barcelona and Manchester United, according to a report. Read more.