FC Barcelona is in 'chaos' over Lionel Messi's ongoing transfer saga, one of the club's most expensive young stars said

• FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong says the Spanish club is in "chaos" amid the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Lionel Messi.
• Messi is demanding to leave Catalonia for free after handing in a transfer request, however the club says he can only leave if someone pays his $825 million release clause.
• The Argentine did not show up start of the club's pre-season campaign in an attempt to force through a move away.
• "It is chaos, there is a lot going on," De Jong told NOS. "But if Messi really leaves, it will be a huge blow to the team and the club."

FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong says the Spanish club is in "chaos" amid the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Lionel Messi.

Messi handed in a transfer request at Barcelona last month, and has since failed to show up for the start of the club's pre-season campaign under new head coach Ronald Koeman in an attempt to force through a move away.

The Argentine believes he is entitled to leave Catalonia for free due a clause in his contract, however Barcelona is arguing that the clause has expired, and will demand interested clubs pay his $825 million release clause.

La Liga has also joined Barcelona's corner, saying in an official statement that it will not deregister the 33-year-old from the Spanish Football Federation unless his release clause is paid.

"It is chaos, there is a lot going on," De Jong, who is currently on international duty with the Netherlands, told NOS when asked about the situation.

"I did not talk to him about this myself. Not even the club. So I honestly don't know about it.

"But if Messi really leaves, it will be a huge blow to the team and the club. But when I come back after these international matches, I will see what happened at the club."

De Jong, 23, joined Barcelona last summer in a $89 million from Ajax, however endured a difficult first season in Spain with Barcelona going trophyless for the first time in 12 years.

Read more:

Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona would be the biggest and most shocking transfer in football history — but it would make perfect sense for everyone

A soccer finance expert broke down how signing $825 million Lionel Messi would likely turn out to be great value

Lionel Messi's teammates past and present, including his former captain, have publicly backed his decision to leave Barcelona

Photos of Lionel Messi from every year of his historic career show just how long he was with Barcelona