LIONEL MESSI is considering staying at Barcelona for one more year, according to his father.
Jorge, who is also the 33-year-old’s agent, jetted to Spain for showdown talks with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Lionel Messi’s father has jetted to Barcelona to discuss the forward’s futureCredit: AFP or licensors
Messi reportedly has a £623million contract offer to join Manchester City this summer.
But after a “very good” meeting with the club bosses, his father admitted he could see out his contract in Spain.
Jorge was asked whether there was a possibility of the Argentine ace staying at the Nou Camp.
He simply replied: “Yes.”
When asked how the meeting with Josep Maria Bartomeu went, he said: “Very good.”
The 33-year-old’s situation appears to have taken a huge U-turn after his dad allegedly told the club president: “My son isn’t staying.”
Jorge flew by private jet from his home in Rosario, Argentina, to Spain for showdown talks with Barcelona chiefs.
The discussion earlier this week lasted around 90 minutes – and they were not able to reach an agreement.
Messi demanded to leave the club on a free after he handed in his transfer request.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner called for the club to activate the clause in his contract that allowed him to leave for nothing.
But the Spanish giants insisted the clause had expired – and that he could only leave if his £629m buy-out clause was met.
Barcelona have vowed to take their all-time top scorer to court if he leaves the club for free.
But Pep Guardiola’s side are prepared to offer him the biggest deal in sporting history.
A move to the Etihad would see Messi pocket £124.6m-per-YEAR.
The incredible deal equates to £14,2000 an hour, £341,000-per-month and £2.4m-per-week.
New Barcelona boss Ronald Joeman has decided that if Messi does not want to stay then it would be better to get him out as soon as possible.
Barca presidential hopeful Victor Font insists current president Josep Maria Bartomeu must honour his pledge to allow the Argentine superstar “to leave whenever he wants.”
He declared: “A couple of months ago the president said players have earned the right to leave and retire whenever they want.
“Now, because of these very exceptional circumstances, he has to honour that commitment.”
When asked whether Messi had been betrayed by the club, Font added: “There is an inconsistency, probably due to mismanagement by the current board, trying to hide behind these wrongdoings.
“That’s why it’s extremely important for the history of the club that we do what it takes.”
NINTCHDBPICT000605559708Credit: AFP or licensors
Bartomeu’s car stops outside Lionel Messi’s dad’s apartment with son driving but no sign of Barcelona president
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
