FC Barcelona could reportedly sell Arda Turan and Ivan Rakitic for $53 million as the La Liga giants aim to raise funds for the contract extension of football superstar Lionel Messi.

Messi, who will turn 30 in June, is set to become a free agent when his Barcelona contract expires in 2018. The Argentina team captain is considered as the best footballer in the world right now and he has drawn the interest by a lot of cash-rich clubs, but the defending Spanish champions are said to be keen on keeping the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

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According to Caught Offside, there are rumors that the Catalan club has the "potential inability to meet his financial demands" and so Barça is considering to sell some of their "fringe first-team players in order to have the financial flexibility" to retain Messi with a "big-money extension".

The first one in the list is Turkish international Arda Turan, who will reportedly cost $32 million to interested teams.

Speculations abound that clubs from the Chinese Super League are ready to pay that amount to bring the attacking midfielder to their side, but there are no indications yet if Turan is indeed headed to the Far East.

Turan has had a hard-time finding a permanent spot in Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique's starting lineup as he is behind the frontline trio of Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar in the team's pecking order.

Another player who is also rumored to be close to being transferred is midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who is also having playing time issues competing for the third midfield spot with Denis Suárez, Rafinha, Sergi Roberto, and Andre Gomes. Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets have secured the first two midfielder positions in Enrique's 4-3-3 formation.

Rakitic will reportedly cost $21 million and is linked to a move with his former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

However, The Guardian noted that Rakitic is "not looking to leave Barcelona despite lack of playing time" as the Croatia international is said to be ready to fight for his first-team slot in the deep Barça lineup.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2017, Arda Turan, Ivan Rakitic, lionel messi, FC Barcelona