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Lionel Messi is determined to leave Barcelona this summer.
The Camp Nou legend believes he is now a free agent when reports emerge from Spain that his € 700 million buyout clause no longer exists.
Messi, according to reliable reports, now wants to complete a move to Manchester City.
The 33-year-old did not attend Sunday’s PCR test.
The newly appointed Barça coach, Ronald Koeman, instructed 31 players, including Messi, to take the Covid-19 test. But Messi, who had informed the club of his decision not to attend beforehand, was not present.
As the situation between Messi and Barcelona threatens to turn ugly, fans are beginning to wonder who could replace the Argentine at Camp Nou next season.
It’s hard to imagine another player wearing Messi’s number 10 jersey, but one man has already made an incredibly bold request.
Spanish outlet 20 minutes, per Brand, they claim that Martin Braithwaite – yes, Martin Braithwaite! – has asked to be given Messi’s squad number if the six-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves this summer.
Braithwaite, who scored a goal in 11 appearances for the Catalan giants after completing a surprise play from Leganés in February, currently wears jersey number 19 and is signed by the club until 2024.
The former Middlesbrough forward has been linked to a departure from Barcelona in recent weeks, but still determined to stay.
Braithwaite is part of a group of players who could potentially replace Messi as Barça’s number 10 …
Martin Braithwaite
Okay, let’s get Braithwaite out of the way first.
The 29-year-old has virtually no chance of becoming Barcelona’s new No.10.
You have to admire their guts for even asking in the first place. What the hell was I thinking ?!
Imagine for a second, so to speak, the reaction of the fans if Braithwaite took the famous Messi number. The Camp Nou would burn hours later.
Lautaro Martinez
Will Barcelona give the 10 to another Argentine?
Lautaro Martínez is one of the club’s main transfer targets and is a much more realistic Messi replacement than Braithwaite. Sorry, Martin, but even you know it’s true.
The 23-year-old has scored 30 goals in 84 games for Inter in the last two seasons.
Riyad mahrez
Manchester City may offer one or two players to Barcelona as part of the deal to bring Messi to the Etihad Stadium.
Riyad Mahrez could be one of them, and the Algerian forward would presumably be open to moving in the opposite direction if Messi joins Guardiola’s team.
Neymar
Barcelona would love to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou, three years after the Brazilian left the club for Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar wanted to return last summer, but it is not clear if he would still be so determined to return without Messi.
Sadio mane
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has been linked to a surprising move to Barcelona in recent days.
The Senegal international is well established at Anfield, so it’s hard to imagine this particular transfer happening.
If he did, however, Mane, whom Messi voted FIFA-conscious The Best in 2019, would undoubtedly be one of the leading candidates to become Barca’s new No.10.
Philippe Coutinho
If Messi leaves, would that affect the future of Philippe Coutinho? It is certainly possible.
The Brazilian, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, could thrive in a Barcelona without Messi.
Koeman, who will have faced Coutinho on several occasions during his time as Southampton and Everton manager, could use the South American as his new No.10 starting in the 2020-21 season.
Ansu fati
Ansu Fati, one of Barcelona’s brightest young talents, is currently wearing jersey number 31 at the Camp Nou.
Handing over Messi’s jersey number, 17, would likely put too much pressure on his young shoulders.
Riqui Puig
Another La Masia graduate, Riqui Puig is four years older than Fati, but he’s also considered one of the club’s most exciting youngsters.
The sleek midfielder is also unlikely to inherit Messi’s number 10 jersey, but you never know …
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann is poised to play a more prominent role under Koeman next season and is expected to switch from No. 17 to No. 7 at the start of next season.
But would the Frenchman prefer jersey number 10?
Paulo dybala
Another potential Messi’s replacement with a lot of money, Paulo Dybala enjoyed an excellent season with Juventus last season and is surely on Barcelona’s radar.
Dybala wears number 10 at Juve and would surely seize the opportunity to take home his compatriot’s squad number if he moved to Camp Nou.
Remove shirt number
Or Barcelona can decide to remove Messi’s number.
That seems increasingly unlikely given that the relationship between the club and the player has been broken, but Barça must pay some kind of tribute to their best player when he leaves.
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