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Manchester City will wait for negotiations between Jorge Messi and Barcelona to finalize before deciding on their next move in pursuit of the Ballon d’Or, with the player’s father and agent insisting that it is difficult for their son to continue in Catalonia. Messi Sr also claimed that there was no agreement with City, that he had not spoken with Pep Guardiola and did not know if his son could leave.
Nine days after Messi notified his intention to leave the club, and two days after he failed to show up for preseason training, Barcelona continue to insist that he is not for sale unless his 700 release clause is activated. million euros (622 million pounds sterling). . Messi missed the June 10 deadline that allowed him to walk for free, but his lawyers argue that date should be delayed because the 2019-20 season ended late. Barcelona have hinted that they would take the case to court if they break their contract.
Messi Sr flew from Argentina to Spain on Wednesday and was due to meet the club in the afternoon. Before the meeting, Barcelona reported that they would only negotiate a new contract, not Messi’s departure.
Upon arrival at Barcelona airport, Messi’s father said he knew nothing. A camera on television channel Cuatro later filmed a brief conversation in which, while seeking to reveal as little as possible, he said it was difficult to see Messi continue at Barcelona.
When asked “Is Messi going to leave Barcelona or what?” Jorge Messi replied: “I don’t know, I don’t know anything”, before answering “difficult” when asked what he thought about the possibility of Messi staying. That was reiterated when they asked him: “How do you see your future at Barcelona?” As he walked away, Messi replied: “Difficult … difficult.”
Jorge Messi was also asked directly about City and if that was a “good option” for his son, prompting the following exchange:
“I don’t know. There is nothing yet.”
“You saw [plural] I talk to Pep and he told me that maybe it was better to stay at Barcelona ”.
“I did not speak to Pep.”
“Didn’t you talk to Pep?”
“Not. [I didn’t talk] To anybody.”
The talks with Barcelona must break the stalemate and put an end to a situation that does not suit anyone. Messi could walk away, leaving any suitor to apply to FIFA to issue an International Transfer Certificate pending resolution through the courts or FIFA arbitration. FIFA would award the ITC, but subsequent litigation would expose Messi and his next club to the possibility of being forced to pay the € 700 million buyout clause and penalties could be imposed.
Messi’s camp has claimed that the € 700 million clause does not apply in his final season, prompting the league to issue a statement on behalf of the club insisting that it remains under contract and that the clause is valid. Although it is unlikely that the 700 million euros will be applied through arbitration, the imposed payment could be high and a legal battle does not benefit anyone. That, however, is pretty much the only common ground between the three parties.
