Messi to City heats up, Suarez a magnet for stars, Barkley staying at any price Messi, Suarez and Barkley. THINGS could get a little, ahem, messy at Barcelona if rumours of a rift between star player and club are to be believed. Ready to pounce if Lionel Messi decides to leave the club that made him - literally, as they pumped him full of growth hormone from an early age - are Manchester City. City are demonstrating they know how to play with the big boys, particularly Barcelona who are past masters at using their employees to unsettle star players at other clubs. City big 'uns Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero have urged Messi to join them at the Etihad Stadium as speculation persists that the Argentine is unsettled at Barca. Messi slagged off the club's vice-president Javier Faus, claiming that he "knows nothing about football." Toure jumped in: "If Messi can leave Barca? To come to us, yes! I want to say yes! At Barcelona, there is always one star. One. Two is not possible. With the recent injury to Messi and the off-the-field problems that he is having at the moment, and with Neymar gradually getting promoted, it is complicated for him [Messi], for sure. And Aguero told the Manchester Evening News: "Yes, he should come to City. Then we'll definitely play together! City should buy him! Aguero should take a step further and have Messi photographed in a City shirt when they win the World Cup together in Brazil next year. It worked a treat when the Spanish dressed up Cesc Fabregas in a Barca shirt in 2010. Barkley won't go for Bales of money Everton match winner Ross Barkley has been compared to Michael Ballack and Paul Gascoigne by his boss Roberto Martinez, who has now paid him the ultimate compliment - claiming he wouldn't sell him in January for a world record fee. Barkley is certain to be a Rumour Mill regular for the next few years - if Everton can keep him that long. His wonderful free kick this week and recent performance against Arsenal are the latest examples of his rising talent, and he's considered a front runner to play for England at the World Cup. Martinez isn't about to let him go with the Manchester clubs and Chelsea among those keen on Barkley. "Even if we got a Gareth Bale-size valuation we would never even consider it in January," Martinez said. Ross is an icon for us. He represents everything we are trying to do this season, so even if a stupid offer arrived in January it would never, never affect us. It is important for us as a football club to show we are making the right football decisions. There is no question mark over Ross' future, he is in the best moment of his time and is everything we want a player to represent at Everton. There is not even a question mark against whether he is going to be here in February or not. Luis is a star magnet From wanting out of the club to being a major draw card for other world class talent. That's the upshot of Liverpool's brinkmanship with Luis Suarez in the previous transfer window. The Uruguayan is the player of the EPL this year, having fired the Reds to top of the table at Christmas. Manager Brendan Rodgers believes he can deliver much more. "Good players want to play with good players," he told Liverpool's official website. When you've got a world-class player like Suarez, and we've got a number of other young players improving, our selling point is the team and the philosophy. Blues look to Benfica Benfica are said to be ready to sell two of their best players to Chelsea. The cash-strapped club have put a $30 million price tag on Serbian winger Lazar Markovic, 19, and claim they are in discussions with Jose Mourinho's side about a January switch. Portuguese media are also reporting that Chelsea are interested in re-signing Nemanja Matic who moved to Benfica as part of the David Luiz deal in 2011. Old Lady in for Lamela Tottenham's record signing Erik Lamela is wanted by several Serie A teams - chief among them Juventus. Lamela found playing time hard to get under Andres Villas-Boas and a potential move might depend on how new boss Tim Sherwood chooses to incorporate the former Roma winger. Lamela has yet to score in the EPL but that isn't deterring Juve, Rafa Benitez's Napoli or Inter Milan. Highlights of Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium. So Long? Shane Long was almost flogged to Hull from West Brom on deadline day and is still coveted by Tigers manager Steve Bruce. But West Brom caretaker boss Keith Downing said: "We are treating it that Shane is very much part of the set-up here. The club are actively trying to get him to sign a new deal and we're quite confident of keeping him. Everton turns Red? Brazil's domestic league player of the year Everton Ribeiro has made another 'come and get me' plea to Manchester United, in case they haven't heard his previous 1000 or so attempts to catch David Moyes's attention. United have had the Cruzeiro midfielder watched and Moyes is apparently considering a move worth $30 million. Real Madrid are said to be interested as well. Hammers strike while iron hot Obafemi Martins and Asamoah Gyan are the two players being linked with loan stints for struggling West Ham United on Wednesday. Both have EPL experience and are now playing in lesser leagues. Martins is in London for talks while his MLS club Seattle Sounders striker is in season recess. The Sun reports Hammers boss (Big) Sam Allardyce has offered Gyan a whopping $250,000 a week to save their EPL status. Gyan is playing for United Arab Emirates club Al Ain - so dosh is obviously a major motivator for the 28 year old. Tonni Roma's Italian title chasers Roma think they've scuppered Arsenal's plans to sign Paraguay international Tonni Sanabria from Barcelona. The 17-year-old has a $8m buyout clause, which both clubs are prepared to pay - but Roma's wage offer is higher.