LIONEL MESSI has stunned Barcelona by handing in a transfer request to LEAVE the club on a free.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner sent a fax to the club on Tuesday demanding Barca exercise a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for nothing with immediate effect.
Lionel Messi has handed in a transfer request to stun BarcelonaCredit: Manu Fernandez
Barcelona fans gathered outside the Nou Camp to make their feelings clear and back MessiCredit: Reuters
Hundreds flocked to the ground to hurl insults at the club’s board and president Josep Maria BartomeuCredit: EPA
However, the club believe that the clause has in fact expired, with the 33-year-old superstar under contract until the summer of 2021.
Club and player seem set for a legal battle over the clause, with Barcelona believing it expired on June 10 and that a €700m (£629m) buy-out clause is still valid.
Messi and his representatives will argue that an extension should be granted as the coronavirus pandemic delayed and extended the season into July and August.
It is understood the Barcelona board will meet imminently with president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation believed to be the only thing that could see Messi have a change of heart.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu, with new boss Ronald Koeman, is under huge pressure to resignCredit: AFP or licensors
Reports in Catalonia suggest Bartomeu is under extreme pressure to quit and is possibly considering an exit – board members Jordi Moix and David Bellver are already believed to have offered their resignation.
Messi was left fuming at the humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
He held crunch talks with new manager Ronald Koeman just one day after the Dutchman replaced Quique Setien, informing the new boss of his plans to leave.
The Argentinian was then said to be furious that information of that meeting was leaked to the Spanish and then international press.
He is also unhappy at the treatment of best pal and neighbour Luis Suarez who was told he has no future at the club.
The pair’s families share a close bond and regularly holiday together.
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol made vocal his support of Messi on Tuesday evening.
The treble-winning former captain tweeted: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend.”
Suarez replied with two hands clapping emojis.
Furious Barcelona fans also made their feelings very clear on Tuesday night, with hundreds flocking to the Nou Camp to make it clear they wanted Messi to stay – and demanding Bartomeu goes instead.
Fans hurled insults at the club president, were pictured swearing and hung banners calling for him to be quit.
Clubs across Europe are now scrambling for his signature.
Manchester City are believed to be keen on the Argentine forward and there is strong interest from Inter Milan as well.
Ladbrokes have City and – a Pep Guardiola reunion – as 5/2 favourites, with Inter priced at 3/1, Manchester United at 6/1 and Paris Saint-Germain at 7/1.
Earlier, ex-Barca president Joan Laporta laid into the current “incompetent” hierarchy as he prepares a bid for office again.
He reckons that Barcelona are actually plotting to sell Messi regardless of his future plans.
And Laporta also believes Suarez has been treated extremely poorly after some incredible years of service to the club.
Laporta tweeted: “They have told Suarez they don’t want him by telephone.
“That seems an act of cowardice and a lack of respect towards the player.
“It’s an unacceptable way for the club to behave and it harms the image of the club.
“I suspect they want to sell Messi. Poor Barca in the hands of these incompetents.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
