Lionel Messi’s father Jorge is reportedly meeting with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu as the transfer dispute over his son’s future continues.
Messi shook the football world last week when he told Barcelona that he wanted to leave the club where he has spent his entire career.
The Argentine superstar looks set to meet Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but only if a compromise with Barcelona can be reached over the 33-year-old’s mammoth £ 624 million release clause.
Messi has a clause in his contract with Barça that means that he can leave the Camp Nou for free at the end of each season.
But the club said the clause was not valid beyond the end of June, and the league has backed its position.
(Image: JUANJO MARTIN / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
The player considered by many to be the greatest of all time is believed to remain steadfast in his desire to force an exit, having recently become frustrated with the club.
And his father will meet with Bartomeu for confrontational talks on Wednesday, according to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri.
Bartomeu is reportedly ready to step down as president if Messi agrees to stay, although, as CBS Sports reports, this is unlikely to divert the star from his desire to leave.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter stating that Messi “is not going to change his mind” and is ready to face Barcelona and La Liga.
He tweeted: “Messi also after the declaration of the League is not going to chance” [sic] your mind.
“He wants to leave and start a new chapter. Barcelona told him again that they will not let Leo go to Manchester City for free, and the position in La Liga is part of their strategy. The saga has begun.”
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner argued that the clause in his contract allowing him to leave should still be valid as the pandemic meant the season was extended.
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(Image: REUTERS)
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But that was rejected by the LaLiga statement.
The statement read: “In accordance with the applicable rule, La Liga will not approve a request to be terminated as a player in the Spanish soccer federation, unless the amount of the termination clause has been paid.”
Messi did not show up for coronavirus tests with the rest of Barcelona’s squad on Sunday, underscoring his determination to move out as it means he cannot return to training on Monday.
In addition to City, Paris-Saint Germain, Inter Milan and Juventus are believed to be interested in a transfer of signing for the best player in the world.
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