Lionel Messi’s father Jorge has met Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu to discuss his son’s future, although no common ground was found during the talks.
A story that already feels ready – albeit only in its infancy – looks set to dominate the remainder of the summer transfer window, as Messi aims to extricate himself from his Barcelona contract. Find a way.
??? The meeting ended with Bartomeu – Jorge Messi.
❌ Barca, flexible: his departure is not being discussed https://t.co/bKzvSUMynA pic.twitter.com/KP4TfpovVo
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) September 2, 2020
The Argentine has been frustrated by the club’s approach to the game as well as boardroom actions, with a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich being the straw that broke the camel’s back. As such, he is asking to be released from his contract due to a clause in his contract, while Barca say that date has passed and they will only leave if his £623m release clause is met. Be fulfilled.
This was followed by La Liga, which sided with La Blaugrana, insisting the 33-year-old is the only way out of the Camp Nou this window.
In an attempt to reach an amicable conclusion, Jorge Messi met with Barcelona officials, including Bartomeu and sporting director Javier Bordas. However, according to Mundo Deportivo, the parties could not agree on terms.
Bartomeu has reiterated that Barca want to keep Messi at the club and that a two-year contract renewal remains on the table. Messi’s father, along with his brother Rodrigo and a family lawyer, stuck to their story of the forward being legally allowed to leave the club.
With Messi absent from any club duties, including returning for first-team training, the argument insists his time at the Camp Nou is well and truly over.
They say the football season was extended due to the coronavirus pandemic, which added to Messi’s contract. Under normal circumstances, the Argentine can exit his contract for free at the end of the season (before June 10) by notifying the club in advance.
However, Barcelona are standing by their claim that the departure date has already passed, a position backed by La Liga. As the Spanish report, the club is now in a ‘strong position’.
If and when Messi leaves Catalonia, Manchester City will be the frontrunners to secure his signature. The deal, which is likely to be the most expensive in history, is also rumored to include a clause that would see Messi end his MLS career after three years of service at City.
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