Football News: Lionel Messi finding hard to leave Barcelona

Barcelona are not looking perfectly ready to let Lionel Messi leave for free. Messi’s father Jorge, who is his agent, arrived in Barcelona on Wednesday to sort his son’s future. Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu wants the Argentine international to stay at the club and sign a new two-year contract. His current deal with Barca will be over next summer. However, the 33-year-old forward wants to leave the club this summer. Manchester City want to sign Messi – but Barcelona aren’t ready to let him go without receiving big sums. He is not even participating in the club’s training sessions. Messi thinks that he informed the club days after the end of the 2019-20 season, which allows him to leave without any release clause. However, Barcelona have made it clear that a giant 700-million euro release clause is still active. Bayern Munich outdid the Catalan giants 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals last season and possibly played a big role in Messi’s impactful decision to leave the club. The Barcelona fans are unhappy with president Bartomeu and want him to step down immediately. His departure can allow Victor Font to become the club’s new president. Font believes even his arrival can’t guarantee Messi staying at Barcelona.