Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in La Liga on Wednesday, August 26.

Wednesday morning's La Liga transfer talk news roundup:

Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain 'willing to pay transfer fee for Lionel Messi'

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly both in a position to make a formal bid for wantaway Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

Messi stunned the footballing world on Tuesday by allegedly formally asking to leave the club that he has represented since the age of 13.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere and has been strongly touted as a target for Manchester City and Inter Milan.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, United and PSG are also in the running to sign the Argentina international, who has scored a club-record 634 goals in 731 appearances.

Messi is believed to have expressed his desire to leave for free, as per the terms of his contract, but Barca have argued that the clause expired in June.

However, the report indicates that United and PSG are prepared to spend big to land the 33-year-old, potentially for a compensation fee in the region of £100m.

A return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys is another outside possibility for Messi.

Rio Ferdinand claims Chelsea are interested in signing Lionel Messi

Rio Ferdinand has claimed that his friend and former West Ham United teammate Frank Lampard is interested in signing Lionel Messi for Chelsea.

A number of Europe's biggest clubs have been put on red alert after Messi handed in a bombshell transfer request this evening, asking to leave the club he has represented for his entire career so far.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, could be available on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract, although Barcelona are expected to legally challenge that.

Ferdinand, who also worked as a TV pundit alongside Lampard before the latter moved into the management, has now claimed that the Chelsea boss wants to bring Messi to Stamford Bridge in a blockbuster deal.

Chelsea have already signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech this summer, while deals for Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr are also thought to be in the pipeline.

Messi has scored 634 goals in 731 games for Barcelona, helping the club to 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues among a plethora of other trophies.

More transfer news from La Liga:

Real Madrid, Barcelona target Donny van de Beek 'would prefer Premier League move'
Rumoured Real Madrid and Barcelona target Donny van de Beek will only consider leaving Ajax if a Premier League club makes an offer, according to a report. Read more.

Manchester United 'among clubs considering Lionel Messi move'
Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs monitoring Lionel Messi's situation at Barcelona following the Argentine's request to leave Camp Nou. Read more.

Lionel Messi formally asks to leave Barcelona
Barcelona talisman and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi reportedly asks to leave the club this summer. Read more.

Arsenal's talks with Atletico Madrid over Thomas Partey hit brick wall?
A report claims that Arsenal are now set to look elsewhere for a new midfielder after conceding defeat in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey. Read more.

Former Barcelona chief insists Lionel Messi cannot leave for free this summer
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists that Lionel Messi cannot legally leave the club for free this summer and urges the Catalans to hold out for a £630m fee. Read more.

Everton close to competing James Rodriguez deal?
Everton are reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Real Madrid over a move for James Rodriguez, who is said to be keen on a move to Merseyside. Read more.

Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara attracting interest from Arsenal, Everton?
A report claims that Rafinha Alcantara is interested in joining a Premier League club, with Arsenal and Everton possible destinations for the Barcelona outcast. Read more.

Report: Paris Saint-Germain eyeing Luis Suarez, Neymar reunion
A report claims that Luis Suarez may reunite with former Barcelona teammate Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Read more.

Lionel Messi makes contact with Pep Guardiola over Manchester City move?
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is interested in a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, according to a report. Read more.

Philippe Coutinho prefers Premier League move to Barcelona stay?
Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho reportedly wants to move back to the Premier League rather than stay at Camp Nou. Read more.

Leeds United agree club-record deal to sign Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno
Newly-promoted Leeds United agree a club-record deal thought to be worth around £27m for Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno. Read more.

Koeman phone call to end Luis Suarez's Barcelona career 'lasted only one minute'
New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman reportedly told Luis Suarez that he is not in his plans in a brutal phone call that lasted just sixty seconds. Read more.

Chelsea pip Arsenal, Barcelona to former Nice defender Malang Sarr?
Free agent defender Malang Sarr could reportedly become a Chelsea player by the end of the week. Read more.

Real Madrid consider Edinson Cavani move?
Former Paris Saint-Germain striker and current free agent Edison Cavani is reportedly a target for La Liga champions Real Madrid ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'demanding to be let go from Barcelona on a free transfer'
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is reportedly on course for a legal battle with the club after claiming that a clause in his deal allowing him to leave for free is valid. Read more.

Massimo Moratti: 'Inter Milan are trying to sign Lionel Messi'
Inter Milan have either already made a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, or will soon do so, according to the club's former president Massimo Moratti. Read more.

Barcelona's Luis Suarez 'holds talks with Inter Miami'
Barcelona forward Luis Suarez reportedly holds talks with David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami amid widespread speculation over the striker's future. Read more.

Martin Montoya joins Real Betis from Brighton & Hove Albion
The 29-year-old made 57 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls. Read more.

Clubs try to tempt Barcelona's Lionel Messi on social media
The news that the Argentine superstar has requested to leave Barcelona has set social media alight. Read more.